Charleston, S.C., February 17, 1864 - It was a cold night... bone chilling, in fact. Moonlight glinted off a restless sea just outside Charleston Harbor some four miles off Breach Inlet. A lookout aboard the Union Navy's largest ship was tired, cold. Talk of a Confederate secret weapon passed in and out of his thoughts as he gazed upon the waters - watching, worrying. Did something just move out there? A dolphin, perhaps?
While cold bit through the lookout's coat, eight men sweated over hand cranks that powered a pulsating propeller beneath the surface. Their captain manned the dive planes, steering his men, iron, anxiety and raw courage towards its destination.
Suddenly an alarm rang. Something bizarre was coming toward the Union ship. There, moving right below the surface! Shots rang out and bullets ricocheted as Union sailors fired revolvers and rifles at the "thing." But the object continued to approach at about three knots.
Just below the waterline, as bullets bounced off her cylindrical body, the Submarine H. L. Hunley plunged her long metal spar deep into the stern area, planting a 135-pound torpedo into the Union Warship Housatonic. The men inside the Hunley lunged forward from the impact, then quickly backed out as the 150-foot attached detonation rope played out. Within seconds, every man there, above and below the surface, became enveloped in a concussion of destruction. The explosion caused the USS Housatonic to burn for three minutes before sending the sloop-of-war collapsing to the bottom of the ocean, killing five sailors.
The home fires on Sullivan's Island shone brightly. Rebel compatriots watched and waited, stoking their fires and hoping the Hunley's crew would see their beacon, victory or not. Then they saw it, a blue light rising off the rippled sea. It was a sign of victory, and signal their men were safe and on their way home.
The brave men of the H. L. Hunley were never seen again.
The location of the Hunley and her heroic crew would remain a secret of the sea for over 130 years. But new hope of uncovering the mystery came in 1995, when best-selling author Clive Cussler and his team of underwater divers discovered the Hunley's resting place. It would take nearly five more years, along with the dedication of South Carolina Sen. Glenn McConnell, and Friends of the Hunley Chairman Warren Lasch and his team, to bring the Hunley home. Today, the first submarine to sink a ship in war is housed in the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, where researchers continue their excavation, delicately pouring over the artifacts of this national treasure. While its final resting place is yet to be determined, it's clear that the Hunley will continue to intrigue historians and Civil War buffs for decades to come.
For more information, please visit the Hunley's official website at www.hunley.org. For tour information, call the Hunley Information Hotline at (843) 744-2186.
For a guide to tours, attractions and what to do in Charleston, click here.
Saffire is located in the elegant Charleston Marriott Hotel on the Ashley River, Lockwood Boulevard. Enjoy the bold flavors of Saffire’s seasonally inspired menu which reflects a belief in “the cuisine of today,”. Always healthy, always evolving. Eclectic, imaginative and unrestricted by ethnic boundaries.... Superb selection of wine. Free parking. Warm and welcoming. Tel: (843) 723-3000.
Charleston's favorite Irish Pub. Tommy Condon’s has made his name by becoming one of Charleston's favorite local spots to serve up Lowcountry specialties such as shrimp and grits and fish and chips. Tommy runs a family-oriented establishment where children are welcome as they are. A special children's menu is available for "little leprechauns." Serving food and fun into the wee hours of the night.
Charleston's premier walking tours with exclusive access to some locations. Behind the scenes of the Holy City's graveyards, back alleyways, and dungeon. As seen on Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted Places. Ghost Dungeon, Dark Side Charleston, Ghost Graveyard Walking Tours. Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston Strolls Walk With History and more.
Charleston, S.C., February 17, 1864 - It was a cold night... bone chilling, in fact. Moonlight glinted off a restless sea just outside Charleston Harbor some four miles off Breach Inlet. A lookout aboard the Union Navy's largest ship was tired, cold. Talk of a Confederate secret weapon passed in and out of his thoughts as he gazed upon the waters - watching, worrying. Did something just move out there? A dolphin, perhaps?
While cold bit through the lookout's coat, eight men sweated over hand cranks that powered a pulsating propeller beneath the surface. Their captain manned the dive planes, steering his men, iron, anxiety and raw courage towards its destination.
Just below the waterline, as bullets bounced off her cylindrical body, the Submarine H. L. Hunley plunged her long metal spar deep into the stern area, planting a 135-pound torpedo into the Union Warship Housatonic. The men inside the Hunley lunged forward from the impact, then quickly backed out as the 150-foot attached detonation rope played out. Within seconds, every man there, above and below the surface, became enveloped in a concussion of destruction. The explosion caused the USS Housatonic to burn for three minutes before sending the sloop-of-war collapsing to the bottom of the ocean, killing five sailors.
The home fires on Sullivan's Island shone brightly. Rebel compatriots watched and waited, stoking their fires and hoping the Hunley's crew would see their beacon, victory or not. Then they saw it, a blue light rising off the rippled sea. It was a sign of victory, and signal their men were safe and on their way home.
The location of the Hunley and her heroic crew would remain a secret of the sea for over 130 years. But new hope of uncovering the mystery came in 1995, when best-selling author Clive Cussler and his team of underwater divers discovered the Hunley's resting place. It would take nearly five more years, along with the dedication of South Carolina Sen. Glenn McConnell, and Friends of the Hunley Chairman Warren Lasch and his team, to bring the Hunley home. Today, the first submarine to sink a ship in war is housed in the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, where researchers continue their excavation, delicately pouring over the artifacts of this national treasure. While its final resting place is yet to be determined, it's clear that the Hunley will continue to intrigue historians and Civil War buffs for decades to come.
For more information, please visit the Hunley's official website at 
Saffire is located in the elegant Charleston Marriott Hotel on the Ashley River, Lockwood Boulevard. Enjoy the bold flavors of Saffire’s seasonally inspired menu which reflects a belief in “the cuisine of today,”. Always healthy, always evolving. Eclectic, imaginative and unrestricted by ethnic boundaries.... Superb selection of wine. Free parking. Warm and welcoming. Tel: (843) 723-3000.
Charleston's favorite Irish Pub. Tommy Condon’s has made his name by becoming one of Charleston's favorite local spots to serve up Lowcountry specialties such as shrimp and grits and fish and chips. Tommy runs a family-oriented establishment where children are welcome as they are. A special children's menu is available for "little leprechauns." Serving food and fun into the wee hours of the night.
Charleston's premier walking tours with exclusive access to some locations. Behind the scenes of the Holy City's graveyards, back alleyways, and dungeon. As seen on Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted Places. Ghost Dungeon, Dark Side Charleston, Ghost Graveyard Walking Tours. Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston Strolls Walk With History and more. 
