The HL Hunley (also known, incorrectly, as the CSS Hunley) was the the first submarine to see successful combat. After sinking and killing it’s first two crews – including HL Hunley himself on the second test sailing – the third time was a charm and the submarine successfully sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor. Â During its escape from this action, the Hunley was swamped and sank for the third and final time. Â It remained on the bottom of the harbor until the wreck was located by Clive Cussler’s NUMA team in April of 1995. Â The submarine was subsequently raised on August 8, 2000 and now resides at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, SC.
These photos were taken April 12, 2014. Â This was my second trip to see the Hunley; on the first visit photographs of the sub in the tank were not allowed. Â This time, that restriction had been lifted; however, glass panels have been placed in front of the tank, and windows in the upper part of the building make it very difficult to get clear photos. Â So these have obvious reflections and can be difficult to make out. Â The remaining photos are of the rest of the museum, mostly in the order it would be seen on a typical visit.
To start off, here’s a video I took, again there’s a lot of noise from various reflections.
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