The First Hunley Crew

Before the Hunley sank the second time, it also went down August 29, 1863. By this time, the Confederate Navy had taken over the submarine and it was under the command of Lt. John A. Payne, who had come over from the CSS Chicora, a Confederate ironclad in Charleston Harbor.

It sank off the wharf of Fort Johnson. Four men escaped this tragedy and five drowned.

Survivor Charles Hasker reported that Payne accidentally stepped on a lever controlling the dive planes during a test run and the submarine submerged with its hatches still open.

It was, of course, raised. Three crew members escaped and five drowned.

Crew:

Michael Caine
Nicholas Davis
Frank Doyle
Charles Hasker (survived)
John Kelly
Lt. John A. Payne (survived)
Absolum Williams
William Robinson (survived)

I Don't Think I'd Volunteer for Duty on That Ship. --Old B-R'er