![]() ![]() The Confederacy had only one advantage, a large coastline. The Confederacy had neither significant shipbuilding facilities nor the knowhow and resources to quickly build the necessary fleets. Several northern states also had a long history of maritime trade and shipbuilding, a burgeoning industrial base and large cities which could provide a large and cheap labor force. The Confederates could never match the strength of the conventional US Navy which had 42 active vessels and another 45 more available for recommissioning in 1860. With an almost nonexistent industrial base and a far less developed railroad system, the Confederates needed to import many necessities from Europe while shipping cotton to Europe for currency essential to fund the war effort. A small merchant marine was as serious as the deficit of fighting ships. The Confederacy had no warships and very few merchant vessels at the outset of the Civil War. One of the most glaring shortcomings was the lack of a navy. Southern states were at a significant disadvantage in virtually every category in fighting their northern cousins. The story of the Hunley is a fascinating study of innovation and desperation from the short history of the Confederate States of America. ![]() As one participant in the conservation has noted “the Hunley does not give up her secrets easily.” 1 There is a lot more to this tale both in the Hunley’s service during the Civil War and in the ongoing search to discover the reasons for the submarine’s demise. If you look carefully at the headline though, you will notice it says the broken pipe “ could’ve sunk Hunley.” There is a lot behind that indefinite description. Last month, a group of researchers offered their theory that an intake pipe possibly became separated from the hull allowing enough water to enter the Hunley to sink it in 3 minutes. The reason the Hunley sank has remained a mystery since it disappeared in 1864. of sand, shells and sea life that has hardened into a natural concrete encasing the iron hull. The restoration is still in progress as conservators remove debris, including over 1,000 lbs. Since then the Hunley has been raised and undergone an intense effort to restore and preserve and remains. Unfortunately, the Hunley never returned to port and was lost to history until an expedition funded by author Clive Cussler re-discovered the wreck in 1995. This Confederate submersible holds the distinction of being the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat. ![]() I want to thank a good friend and loyal reader (thanks Kurt) for making me aware of a good news story on the sinking of the H. Hunley in Charleston South Carolina painted by Conrad Wise Chapman, 1863 ![]()
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