Submarine Warfare’s First Success
On the night of 17-18 February 1864, military history was made.
On that date, the first ship was sunk by a submarine.
During the blockade of Charleston during the US Civil War, the CSS Hunley – a small, human-powered submarine (literally; its propeller was powered via a hand-crank) submerged. While submerged, it attacked the USS Housatonic with a spar torpedo.
The attack sank the USS Housatonic. However, the CSS Hunley also never returned to shore. It also sank in the aftermath of the attack.
The CSS Hunley’s sunken hull was located in 1995. It was raised in 2000.
Recent analysis indicates that the CSS Hunley may have been as close as approximately 20 feet away from their torpedo at time of detonation (they were originally thought to be much farther away). That may have been close enough to allow the shock to have knocked the ship’s crew unconscious, making it impossible for them to either return to shore or escape from the disabled craft.
May all 13 who lost their lives – 5 Union sailors from the USS Housatonic and entire 8-man crew of the CSS Hunley – in this historic event rest in peace.
Category: Historical, Navy
The History Channel did a good documentery on the raising of the Hunley. You would have to catch it on H2 now since the original History Channel is all about things like “Pawn Stars” and “American Pickers” instead of history.
And here’s to all of you proud Navy veterans. Here-Here! Long and proud Naval traditions, still alive and well.