The American Civil War was a time of great innovation in military technology, including early attempts at underwater warfare. While most people think of ironclad ships and naval battles on the surface, there were also pioneering efforts to develop submarines and other underwater weapons. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Civil War submarines and the daring men who operated them.
The Birth of the Submarine
In the 1860s, the idea of a ship that could travel underwater was still new and experimental. Both the Union and Confederate navies were interested in developing submarine technology to gain an advantage in the war.
Early Submarine Experiments
The Confederacy was particularly motivated to create submarines as a way to break the Union’s naval blockade of Southern ports. Some of their first attempts included:
- The Pioneer: Built in New Orleans in February 1862, but abandoned and sunk in Lake Pontchartrain the following month.
- The American Diver: Constructed in Mobile, Alabama, it was ready for action by January 1863. However, it proved too slow for practical use and sank in a storm in Mobile Bay.
These early failures didn’t discourage the inventors. Instead, they learned from their mistakes and kept trying to improve their designs.
The H.L. Hunley: A Revolutionary Vessel
The most famous and successful Civil War submarine was the H.L. Hunley, named after its primary designer, Horace Lawson Hunley. This submarine would make history as the first to sink an enemy ship in combat.
Design and Construction
The Hunley was built in Mobile, Alabama in 1863. Here are some key features of its design:
- Length: 40 feet
- Propulsion: Hand-cranked propeller operated by 7 crew members
- Weapons: A spar torpedo attached to a long pole on the bow
- Crew: 8 men total (7 to crank the propeller, 1 to steer)
The submarine could dive by taking on water in ballast tanks and had two small conning towers for the captain to see out of when near the surface.
Tragic Test Runs
The Hunley’s development was marked by tragedy. During testing in Charleston harbor:
- It sank once, drowning five crew members.
- It sank again, this time killing all eight men aboard, including Horace Hunley himself.
Despite these disasters, volunteers still came forward to crew the submarine. Their bravery and dedication to the Confederate cause was remarkable.
The Historic Attack
On the night of February 17, 1864, the Hunley set out on its most famous mission. Its target was the USS Housatonic, a Union warship blockading Charleston harbor.
The submarine approached underwater, then surfaced briefly to ram its spar torpedo into the Housatonic’s hull. The explosion sank the Union ship in just a few minutes, killing five of her crew.
This was a groundbreaking moment in naval history – the first time a submarine had successfully sunk an enemy vessel. However, the victory was short-lived. The Hunley never returned from its mission, sinking with all hands for reasons that remained a mystery for over 130 years.
Other Underwater Warfare Attempts
While the Hunley is the most well-known Civil War submarine, it wasn’t the only underwater weapon developed during the conflict.
Torpedo Boats
The Confederates also created small, partially-submerged boats called “Davids.” These steam-powered vessels sat very low in the water and attacked by ramming a spar torpedo into enemy ships. One such boat, the CSS David, managed to damage the Union ironclad New Ironsides in Charleston harbor in October 1863.
Naval Mines
Both sides made extensive use of naval mines, which they called “torpedoes” at the time. These underwater explosives could be anchored in harbors or rivers to damage enemy ships.
The Union’s Submarine Efforts
The Union also experimented with submarine technology, though their attempts were less successful than the Confederacy’s:
- The Alligator: A 47-foot submarine built for the Union Navy, but it sank in a storm while being towed to its first deployment.
- The “Submarine Battery”: Designed by Major Edward Hunt, but its inventor died of carbon monoxide poisoning during trials at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Impact and Legacy
The Hunley’s achievement, while impressive, didn’t have a major impact on the course of the war. The submarine’s loss after its only successful attack meant that its potential was never fully realized.
However, the Hunley and other Civil War submarine experiments laid the groundwork for future underwater warfare technology. The lessons learned from these early attempts would be applied to more advanced submarines in later conflicts.
Rediscovery and Conservation
The wreck of the Hunley was discovered in 1995 and raised from the ocean floor in 2000. Archaeologists have been carefully studying and preserving the submarine and its contents ever since. The remains of the crew were found still at their stations, providing valuable insights into the submarine’s final moments.
Today, the Hunley is on display at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, South Carolina, where visitors can see this remarkable piece of naval history up close.
A Glimpse into the Future of Naval Warfare
The Civil War submarines, especially the Hunley, were far ahead of their time. They represented a bold vision of underwater warfare that wouldn’t be fully realized for decades to come.
These pioneering vessels, with their brave and often ill-fated crews, paved the way for the submarine fleets that would play crucial roles in future conflicts. They stand as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless drive for military advantage, even in the face of great danger and technical challenges.
As we look back on these early submarines, we can appreciate not only their historical significance but also the courage of the men who volunteered to crew them. Their stories of innovation, sacrifice, and daring continue to captivate us more than 150 years later.
