Inside the H L Hunley

[CSA Today]

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

If there had been more than one or two surviving Hunley veterans, I'd imagine back problems would have been common among them in later life... yeesh. I'm not claustrophobic ordinarily, but I would not want to be shut up in that thing.

It might just be the angle of the photo, but the crankshaft looks noticeably off-center. Was there a gear arrangement at the stern to transmit to the propeller?

 

[bdietzler73]

Great photo! I have always wanted to see inside of the Hunley. I suppose there are books about the Hunley. Anyone have any thoughts on some good books about this famous submarine?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

There are quite a few... most of which I've yet to read . R. Thomas Campbell's is a good starter, as he's a good, clear writer. I've heard good things about Richard Bak, and Mark Ragan's books on all of the Confederate and Union submarine programs are well-thought-of.

Oh... and Tom Chaffin. I've read his Sea of Gray about the Shenandoah and it was a very good read. I'll bet his book about the Hunley is good as well.

 

[ErnieMac]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0345447727/?tag=civilwartalkc-20
About 10 - 12years old now. Lot of new info since, but the book gave good historic information and details on its discovery and recovery.

 

[jay gale]

claustrophrobe that I am, I don't think I could crew that thing.....

 

[bankerpapaw]

I have always be fascinated by submarines, especially since I lost a cousin on the U.S.S. Gudgeon in WWll, but I
wouldn't have wanted to take a ride on the Hunley.

 

[AndyHall]

The crankshaft is off-center. There is a flywheel on the centerline propeller shaft, and there was earlier speculation that crankshaft and the prop shaft were connected by a short belt or chain. I don't know if that interpretation still stands.

Michael Crisafulli's website is the go-to source for all things Hunley.

 

[JerseyBart]

claustrophrobe that I am, I don't think I could crew that thing.....

What a way to go...no thank you.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Michael Crisafulli's website is the go-to source for all things Hunley.

That's a freakin' gorgeous site. I need to spend some time with it.

 

[AndyHall]

That's a freakin' gorgeous site. I need to spend some time with it.

Whatever you do, don't go poking around his ruminations on Captain Nemo's Nautilus. Your family might have to file a missing person's report on you.

 

[jay gale]

Whatever you do, don't go poking around his ruminations on Captain Nemo's Nautilus. Your family might have to file a missing person's report on you.

thanks man.....that's all I need, another obsession.

p.s.

who is that guy? there's some dang cool stuff there, especially for us 3D geeks

 

[TinCan]

Lots of information on that site for sure. If you'd look at it like it wasn't any worse than forming a line in front of an opposite line and blasting away at each other till one side gave in and ran, then yes, I think I'd try a turn at the cranks.

 

[AndyHall]

Michael has followed the Hunley exploration/excavation for years. He probably knows more about the boat and its technology than anyone not actually working at the Lasch Conservation Center. All of my modeling of the boat is based on his reconstruction.