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. During its escape from this action, the Hunley was swamped and sank for the third and final time. It remained on the bottom of the harbor until the wreck was located by Clive Cussler’s NUMA team in April of 1995. 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. This was my second trip to see the Hunley; on the first visit photographs of the sub in the tank were not allowed. 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. So these have obvious reflections and can be difficult to make out. 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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