The first ship on the scene was USS Canandaigua. The survivors were later rescued by other elements of the Charleston blockading force. Hunley thus achieved the first sinking of a warship in combat via submarine.įive men – two officers and three crewmen – went down with their ship while an unknown number of Union Navy sailors were injured. Within five minutes, Housatonic was partially underwater. First-hand reports say no explosion was heard by the crew of Housatonic, who immediately began climbing the rigging or entering life boats as the sloop began to sink stern first and list to port. Hunley attached her explosive to Housatonic 's side before reversing and setting a course for home.Ī few moments later the torpedo detonated and sank the sloop-of-war. Hunley, and only hit her with small arms fire. Official accounts say Housatonic was unable to fire a broadside at H.L. Hunley was spotted just before embedding her torpedo into Housatonic 's hull. Dixon and crewed by seven volunteers.ĭestruction of Housatonic sketch by war artist William WaudĪccounts differ about the initial approach what is known is that H.L. Hunley began her approach at about 8:45 pm, commanded by First Lieutenant George E. Housatonic was commanded by Captain Charles W. Housatonic was a 1,240-long-ton (1,260 t) vessel with an armament of twelve large cannons, stationed at the entrance of Charleston Harbor roughly five miles (8.0 km) off the coast. Hunley 's mission was to lift the blockade of Charleston, South Carolina by destroying the sloop-of-war USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor. Armed with a spar torpedo, mounted to a rod extending out from her bow, H.L. Hunley made her first mission against an enemy vessel during the American Civil War. ( February 2013) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. Hunley became renowned as the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy vessel in combat, and was the direct progenitor of what would eventually become international submarine warfare, although the victory was Pyrrhic and short-lived, since the submarine did not survive the attack and was lost with all eight Confederate crewmen. Hunley approached just under the surface, avoiding detection until the last moments, then embedded and remotely detonated a spar torpedo that rapidly sank the 1,240 long tons (1,260 t) sloop-of-war with the loss of five Union sailors. Hunley made her first and only attack on a Union Navy warship when she staged a clandestine night attack on USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor. The Confederate States Navy submarine, H.L. The Sinking of USS Housatonic on 17 February 1864 during the American Civil War was an important turning point in naval warfare. Once you arrive, you'll find plenty of parking. The most efficient way to reach the old Charleston Naval Base is to drive. Tickets can be ordered online or purchased at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. to 3 p.m.Īdmission costs $18 for adults and $10 for kids 6 to 12. It welcomes visitors Saturday from 10 a.m.
The facility is not open to the public on weekdays, as that's when scientists examine the vessel. Hunley Confederate Submarine and the old Charleston Naval Base are located nearly 7 miles north of downtown Charleston. After a 20-minute overview, visitors can explore on their own. The experience features interactive exhibits and activities, which recent visitors found fascinating. Today, you can visit the base and tour the submarine an experience that many recent visitors said is well worth your time, especially if you're interested in naval history. In 2000, the Hunley and the remains of its crew were brought to the surface for a detailed restoration at the old Charleston Naval Base. It was suddenly lost at sea in 1864 and remained so until 1995 when it was discovered off the coast of Sullivan's Island with the help of thriller author Clive Cussler. Hunley became the world's first successful combat submarine. Originally built in 1863 for the Confederate Army, the H.L.
0 kommentar(er)
