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There was an unveiling of sorts this past week in Charleston, S.C., of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, a ship with quite a story.
Not long after the sub was found and raised up out of the ocean, near Charleston, Russell and I had the privilege of seeing and actually touching this piece of American history.
In 2000, I was following the news of the find and attempt to raise the Hunley. Then, as luck would have it, we were invited to spend Thanksgiving with my niece who lives in Charleston. A huge family gathering was planned. But before we all arrived, my niece sent word to all who were coming that if there was anything special we would like to do while in Charleston to let her know. I didn’t hold out much hope, but I replied that I would like to see the Hunley.
By that time, it was at the old naval shipyard in a big tank of water. And almost no one was allowed inside. There was a viewing place where people could look through a glass window and see some of the activity going on with the sub.
My niece started making calls, mostly to public officials she knew. Shortly before we left for South Carolina, she called to say it was arranged.
On the appointed day, at the appointed hour, we showed up at the naval yard and were shown to the building where the Hunley was housed. We were led through an area where a few people were looking through the glass window and there were Hunley souvenirs for sale. Then we went through a metal door, down a hall and into the room where the submarine was.
The main portion of the sub was sitting in a huge glass tank and there were people upon scaffolding and standing around the tank. There were bright lights on because National Geographic photographers were shooting pictures. We were told to be quiet and not use a camera.
Sitting on the floor was a long trough of water, and in the trough was the spar, the long snout of the Hunley. We were looking at the spar and asking questions when we were told we could get down and look closely — and if we wanted, we were allowed to touch it in the water.
That was a real thrill to be able to view the ship so soon after it was raised from the ocean. No effort had yet been made to open the sub and explore the artifacts. They were just happy to have it out of the ocean.
There was an unveiling of sorts this past week in Charleston, S.C., of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, a ship with quite a story.
Not long after the sub was found and raised up out of the ocean, near Charleston, Russell and I had the privilege of seeing and actually touching this piece of American history.
In 2000, I was following the news of the find and attempt to raise the Hunley. Then, as luck would have it, we were invited to spend Thanksgiving with my niece who lives in Charleston. A huge family gathering was planned. But before we all arrived, my niece sent word to all who were coming that if there was anything special we would like to do while in Charleston to let her know. I didn’t hold out much hope, but I replied that I would like to see the Hunley.
By that time, it was at the old naval shipyard in a big tank of water. And almost no one was allowed inside. There was a viewing place where people could look through a glass window and see some of the activity going on with the sub.
My niece started making calls, mostly to public officials she knew. Shortly before we left for South Carolina, she called to say it was arranged.
On the appointed day, at the appointed hour, we showed up at the naval yard and were shown to the building where the Hunley was housed. We were led through an area where a few people were looking through the glass window and there were Hunley souvenirs for sale. Then we went through a metal door, down a hall and into the room where the submarine was.
The main portion of the sub was sitting in a huge glass tank and there were people upon scaffolding and standing around the tank. There were bright lights on because National Geographic photographers were shooting pictures. We were told to be quiet and not use a camera.
Sitting on the floor was a long trough of water, and in the trough was the spar, the long snout of the Hunley. We were looking at the spar and asking questions when we were told we could get down and look closely — and if we wanted, we were allowed to touch it in the water.
That was a real thrill to be able to view the ship so soon after it was raised from the ocean. No effort had yet been made to open the sub and explore the artifacts. They were just happy to have it out of the ocean.
Since then I have taken an interest in the Hunley and read everything I find about it.
Now, the famous ship is on public display, thanks to the careful work done by several organizations who have raised $22 million to preserve the Hunley. Much of the money was donated or came as grants, and much was made through sales of souvenirs.
It was a very special visit for me, and I don’t think I will soon forget Thanksgiving 2000, when we had turkey with family and paid a special visit to the Hunley.
Kay Hively writes a weekly column for the Daily News.
