Confederate Submarine Attraction in South Carolina Reopens-- Part 2

The Hunley sank a Union blockading ship, the USS Housatonic by ramming it with a torpedo attached to a spar at the front of the ship.  A half-century would pass before another submarine would sink and enemy warship during World War I.

Unfortunately for the Hunley, it sank to the bottom itself while returning from the attack on the Housatonic.  All eight men aboard died.

Many theories have been advance over the years as to what happened to cause the Hunley to sink.  Some think perhaps it was too close to the explosion and that they were knocked unconscious or perhaps miscalculated how long their oxygen will hold while submerged.

Scientists hope to determine the cause of the ship's sinking when the entire vessel's exterior and interior is cleaned of the sea buildup in the next several years.

The Hunley was raised from the sea floor in 2000.  Scientists have spent seventeen years collecting human remains (all aboard were found) and restoring the vessel.

--Old B-R'er

Confederate Submarine Attraction in SC Reopens

From the June 19, 2021, U.S. News & World Report  from AP.

The doors to a Confederate submarine on display in North Charleston, South Carolina, fully opened yesterday after being shut down by the you-know-what.

The grand opening of the Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy warship, will be marked with the launch Saturday of a new visitor experience that uses "cutting edge digital animation, live footage and a light show to tell the submarine's story according to officials at the site.

"We were  able to greatly enhance our  visitor experience while we had to keep our doors closed," said Friends of the Hunley Executive Director Kellen Butler.

The Hunley and her 7,500 square feet of associated exhibits are in a conservation laboratory.  The operating hours are  Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.  Preplanned school and group tours are  available during the week.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Sub Hunley May Move From North Charleston-- Part 2:

But a lot has changed since 2004.    North Charleston has withdrawn its offer.  It is taking much longer to conserve than expected.  Plus, S.C. Senator Glenn McConnell, a major leader in getting the Hunley to North Charleston has retired.

Patriots Point already has a lot of visitors to its aircraft carrier Yorktown and several other ships and aircraft, so even more people would visit the Hunley.  North Charleston says they can accommodate a new Hunley museum and conservation area.

--Old B-Runner

Confederate Sub Hunley May Move from North Charleston

From the August Charleston (SC) Post and Courier "Confederate sub Hunley may move from North Charleston to Mount Pleasamdt" by Robert Behre.

It has been almost two years since the Confederate submarine Hunley was raised from the water but it is now unclear where its final resting place will be.  It is in North Charleston, S.C., right now, but may end up at Patriot's Point naval and maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.

In 2004, after two years of jockeying, the city of North Charleston beat out Mount Pleasant and Charleston as the planned site for the Hunley Museum, partly because North Charleston pledged $13 million toward its construction.

--Old B-Runner