H.L. Hunley

This collection features content on the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley.

This collection features content on the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley. Named after its creator Horace Lawson Hunley, the Hunley made history during the American Civil War as the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat. Although the Hunley was successful in sinking the Union sloop-of-war U.S.S. Housatonic, the Hunley never returned to its home port on Sullivan's Island, SC. The fate of the Hunley remained a mystery until it was located by author Clive Cussler's National Underwater Marine Agency in 1995, and was raised in the year 2000. The Hunley is currently undergoing conservation at Clemson University's Warren-Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston. 

Title:
 Absolum Williams
Absolum Williams

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Did you know that a Black sailor once served on the ill-fated Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley? Shortly after the Hunley's arrival in Charleston, South Carolina, Lieutenant John Payne of the...
 H.L. Hunley Museum | Let's Go!
H.L. Hunley Museum | Let's Go!

Video

Grades: 4 8 11

The H.L. Hunley submarine made history during the American Civil War when she became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat. In February 1864, the Hunley, under command of Lieutenant...
3D VR - H. L. Hunley Museum | Let's Go!
3D VR - H. L. Hunley Museum | Let's Go!

Interactive

Grades: 4 8 11

The H.L. Hunley submarine made history during the American Civil War when she became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat. In February 1864, the Hunley, under command of Lieutenant...
Hunley | Sandlapper Online
Hunley | Sandlapper Online

Document

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Hunley: After Five Generations, The Atlantic Surrenders a National Treasure Margaret N. O'Shea Winter 2002-2003
 The Hunley's Design | Walter Edgar's Journal
The Hunley's Design | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this segment, Sen. Glenn McConnell talks about the design of the Hunley. Previous replicas and diagrams of the Hunley were found to be inaccurate upon discovery of the real submarine.
 Dixon's Gold Coin | Walter Edgar's Journal
Dixon's Gold Coin | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 7

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Before the Hunley was found, Lieutenant George Dixon’s gold coin was just considered a legend. Dr. Maria Jacobsen tells the story and significance behind Lt. Dixon’s coin, and shares her excitement...
 Identifying The Crew | Walter Edgar's Journal
Identifying The Crew | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 8

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Another challenge faced during the Hunley investigation was identifying the members of the crew. Determining who was who among the crew proved difficult due to lack of Confederate records. Dr. Maria...
 A Giant Puzzle | Walter Edgar's Journal
A Giant Puzzle | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 1

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this first segment on the Confederate submarine C.S.S. Hunley, Walter Edgar and Senator Glenn McConnell discuss how finding the submarine disproved all pre-conceived notions about its design...
 Forensic Investigation of the Crew | Walter Edgar's Journal
Forensic Investigation of the Crew | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 6

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Dr. Jacobsen talks about the forensic investigation of the Hunley’s crew members, and analyzes the effects of sediment helping preserve their remains. The Hunley project has yielded both scientific...
 A Historic Time Capsule | Walter Edgar's Journal
A Historic Time Capsule | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 3

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Hunley is described as “a historic time capsule.” Sen. Glenn McConnell discusses using the clues found in the Hunley to piece together what happened the night it sank the U.S.S. Housatonic.
 Raising The Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
Raising The Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 2

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Senator Glenn McConnell discusses raising the Hunley. Some of the challenges faced were maritime legal issues, and how the submarine was going to be lifted off of the ocean floor. Preserving the...
 The C.S.S. Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
The C.S.S. Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 6

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Dr. Symonds addresses the importance of the C.S.S. Hunley: History’s first operational submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, the U.S.S. Housatonic.
 The Hunley | Palmetto Special
The Hunley | Palmetto Special

Video

Grades: 4 8

The video location is at the Naval Polaris Missile Base in North Charleston. This is the largest submarine base on the east coast today. Learn about the sinking of the U.S.S. Housatonic by the Hunley...
 SC Veterans in History, Part 5 5
SC Veterans in History, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8

In this segment, footage from the excavation of the Hunley is provided, and information about the salt water keeping the metal from corroding is given. Footage of the Hunley being raised is included...
 About Eye on the Past
About Eye on the Past

Video

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

This series was produced by WRJA-TV in Sumter to provide short segments on interesting, significant, historical people, places and events in our state's history. Segments include: History of the...
 CSS Hunley | Eye on the Past
CSS Hunley | Eye on the Past

Video

Grades: 4 8

Brief history of the CSS Hunley submarine. The Hunley became the first submarine to sink a federal warship, the U.S.S Housatonic.