CLEMSON — History tells us that on the evening of Feb. 17, 1864, the H. L. Hunley became the world’s first successful combat submarine after sinking the USS Housatonic. The Hunley is widely known for sinking on that venture and taking with her the lives of her crew.
But what does a Confederate submarine have to do with Clemson University? Well, as it turns out, a lot.
In 1995, following an expedition to find the lost Hunley led by novelist/marine explorer Clive Cussler, Wes Hall and Harry Pecorelli became the first people to touch the Hunley in over a century.
Seventeen years ago, the ten-ton vessel was pulled from the water and transported to where it lies today: The Warren Lasch Conservation Center run by an international team of specialists and under the exclusive management of the Clemson University Research Institute (CURI).
“Our goal is not just to do conservation and archaeology but to push the boundaries of science in both areas,” said Michael Drews, former director of CURI’s Warren Lasch Conservation Center. “This turned out to be a great example of the fields of materials science and conservation coming together.”
Although the sub is one of the oldest and most well known, it was not the first — a misconception that has followed Hunley for a long time.
According to records, she was finished in 1863 and was the third submarine constructed by a team of New Orleans-based engineers and businessmen.
The first was called “Pioneer” but the boat was scuttled during the Civil War to keep her from falling into the hands of advancing Union forces.
The second, “American Diver,” was built in Mobile but sank during sea trials somewhere off Fort Morgan in the mouth of Mobile Bay.
Hunley (first called “Fish Boat”) was nearly 40 feet long when completed and first launched in July.
It didn’t go great.
A month into test runs, Hunley sank, killing five members of her crew. She was recovered, but a month later, she sank again, this time killing not only all eight of her (second) crew but her inventor and would be name-sake Horace Hunley himself.
With what must have been the bravest crew in military history, on Feb. 17, 1864, Hunley attacked and sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston’s outer harbor.
The attack was successful and it would ensure Hunley’s name as forever recorded in the history books but unfortunately — you guessed it — again the Hunley sank, killing all eight hands of her (third) crew.
Today, the Hunley can be seen on weekends during tours at The Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston. Restoration and preservation of Hunley herself continues to be carried out through a partnership with the Clemson University Restoration Institute, South Carolina Hunley Commission, Naval History and Heritage Command and Friends of the Hunley.
