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The Hunley
A Civil War Sub!
A
Brief History of Hunley:Hunley was designed in conjunction by three men, James McClintock and Baxter Watson two entrepreneurs, and Horace L. Hunley a wealthy lawyer from New Orleans. Hunley was built by the Confederate Army during the Civil War as a means of breaking through Union blockades. The crew powered Hunley by turning a crank directly connected to its propeller. The ship itself was 39 1/2 feet long and used an explosive tipped spear to sink enemy ships. It was first tested in the July of 1863, but it was only a few short months later when it was put into action. In its first attempt to remove the blockade of Charleston Harbor an accident caused the ship to sink killing half the men on board. then on a routine diving exercise again misfortune hit the crew, again the ship sank and all aboard it perished. It wasn't until February 17, 1864 and after modifications and successful diving practice that the Hunley finally succeeded in sinking USS Housatonic which had been blockading the harbor. Hunley became the first submarine to ever sink another ship in battle.
The Hunley
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