The Hunley (1864)

Just wanted to re-post this since my original was accidently deleted.

Guy's, I highly recommend this true movie of the C.S.S. Hunley. Here is a link with reviews. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...026321?v=glance

One of my favorite movies of all time. Extremely accurate historically. The Hunley sunk the first enemy battleship on February 17, 1864. Unfortunately, it sank soon after as well. It was recently discovered, raised and has been excavated. Found on board were 8 of her crew. Facial reconstructions were done from their skulls and DNA to identify each. Here are their profiles: http://www.hunley.org/main_index.asp?CONTENT=CREWB_PROFILES

A gold coin was found in the pocket of Lieutenant George E. Dixon. Legend had it that he always carried it with him since it was given to him by his girlfriend and saved his life by deflecting a bullet in the battle of Shiloh. Well, they found it complete with being bent from the bullet hitting it. See it here: http://www.hunley.org/main_index.asp?CONTENT=GOLDCOIN

There is also a Hunley simulator that is free to download which works just like the original. Pretty neat. That link is here: http://www.hunley.org/main_index.asp?CONTENT=SIMULATOR

Mitch

Will have to look out for that one. Love the old war movies, especially one on such a historical Submarine.

Interestlingly Mitch, The USS Hunley was one of the Polaris submarine support ships based at the Holy Loch on the River Clyde in Scotland. During my last visit in 1989 to Dunoon,a small town nearby where I grew up . The Holy Loch was originally a MTB and submarine base for the British Nvy during WW2. My dad was an engineer for Rolls Royce in those days and worked on the the Merlin and Griffin engines for the MTB's and Supermarine and Hawker aircraft. We used to ice skate on the loch in winter and play among the dozens of MTB's lying in run in the late 40,s eventually they were sold or scrapped. One german submarine actually managed to get through the nets that used to protect the base. They let it in and then sunk it. The crew of that sub are buired in Dunoon. The net stretched across the Clyde from the East bay in Dunoon near the Rock cafe to the Cloch lighthouse near Greenock on the opposite bank. Anothe incident involved a misfire of a torpodo from a British sub.The Torpedo slid up the bank near Kirn on the loch and exploded. No one was hurt and the event was covered up. The loch was also used as one of the training bases for "The Dambusters" as it was a secure location. Lots of history in this area.

Interesting Anto. What does a submarine tender basically do? I'm assuming runs supplies to the subs? Seemed to be a good sized ship.

Mitch

A Tender has repair facilities (shops & equipment) to make minor repairs and perform routine maintenance on the subs. She is often call a "Mother Ship" since she often has her "Brood" tied up alongside.

Shigoto

I like the resuply ship in Das Boot. Lot's of nice food! =D

Housatonic was a frigate, not a battleship.

Wallace

Yeah, you're right. I should have said enemy war ship.

Mitch

Hmm I thought it was a sloop of war.

Officially called on the US Dept. of Navy historical site "USS Housatonic, a 1930-ton Ossipee class steam screw sloop of war". That's a mouth full.

Here's a picture:

Mitch