Scientists to rotate historic Confederate submarine for first time since it sank off SC coast

SC scientists to rotate historic Confederate sub

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina scientists plan to delicately rotate the 23-ton Civil War submarine that was the first in history to sink an enemy warship.

Scientists said Friday they plan to rotate the H.L. Hunley to an upright position early next year, exposing sections of hull that have not been examined in almost 150 years.

The work should provide final clues to explain why the Hunley went down after sinking a Union blockade ship off Charleston in 1864.

When the Hunley sank, it was buried in the sand on its side. It was kept that way as slings were put beneath it and it was raised and brought to a conservation lab in North Charleston a decade ago.

Rotating the sub also allows scientists to finish removing the crust from the hull and proceed with conservation.