The Jan. 10th Mooresville (SC) Tribune had an article about a Hunley Commission member giving a talk before the local SCV Camp.
Jack Marlar, chief technical advisor of the H. L. Hunley Commission. The technology on the Hunley was ahead of its time.
To cut through the water, an angled piece of metal on the top of the sub divided the passing water helping with stabilization and aerodynamics.
The sub had an air box, now called a snorkel, for air flow.
The seven crew members had to bend over to operate the crank, putting the weight of their bodies "exactly perpendicular to the axle" which helped keep it upright.
The four section ballast bar at the bottom allowed it to remain vertical and doubled as a safety device. Each section could be detached individually (it was still intact when the Hunley was raised).
There was also a fly wheel and balance tube to keep actuation (whatever that means).
The Hunley was "brilliant engineering."
Besides Lt. George E. Dixon's gold watch and a $20 gold piece, there was also a 9 diamond gold ring and a 37 diamond gold broach which have been discovered wrapped in a cloth under his seat.
All of these items can be viewed at the Warren Lasch Conservative Center in Charleston.
Looking Forward to When the Whole Submarine Will Be Open to the Public. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
