Hunley Project Update 1997

Hunley Update

By Christopher F. Amer, Jonathan M. Leader, and Steven D. Smith

The year 1997 begins with renewed resolve by the Naval Historical Center and the South Carolina Hunley Commission to move ahead with planning the future of H.L. Hunley. Deputy state archaeologists Jonathan Leader and Christopher Amer met in December 1996, with both groups to discuss criteria to ensure that the archaeological recovery, conservation, curation, and exhibition of the submarine will meet acceptable professional standards in the field. A working draft of requirements pertaining to the siting and construction of a facility to conduct the work was delivered to the Commission and the Navy last month. We anticipate that a request for proposals to conduct the work will be announced later this year.

Research continues on the submarine. Scientists are still analyzing the data from the corrosion tests conducted on the hull of the Hunley but are optimistic that the hull can be recovered. The results of the joint South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA)/ National Park Service (NPS)/ Naval Historical Center (NHC) 1996 assessment of the site were presented at the Society for Historical Archaeology Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology in Corpus Christi, Texas on January 10, 1997 in a session on American Naval Archaeology. Recent research involves the explosive charge and delivery system used on the vessel. No evidence of a spar was found during the assessment. However, an 1899 drawing by Simon Lake and a drawing of Singer's Torpedo, of the type believed to have been used in the attack of the Housatonic, provide clues as to the appearance and possible configuration of the device, and a web discussion group is currently devoted to answering the question, “how was the torpedo attached to the Hunley”.

For the second time since its inception the Hunley Update Web site (http://www.cla.sc.edu/sciaa/hunley1.html) has been presented an award. The Web Site Excellence-Anthropology award was presented by Wayne Neighbors, CEO of Vee Ring Ltd. to SCIAA for its continued “excellence in public service” through the Hunley web site.

The South Carolina Hunley Commission has formed a not-for-profit organization to handle donations for recovering, conserving, and exhibiting the vessel. Donations can be made to “Fund To Save the Hunley”, P.O. Box 12444, Columbia, SC 29211.