How many people died on the Housatonic?
five
In mere moments, a large explosion on the Housatonic sunk the vessel. Despite the rapid sinking, most of the ship’s 150-member crew had enough time to abandon the ship. Only five of the Union crew were reported killed.
What happened to the Housatonic?
Housatonic is recognized as being the first ship sunk in combat by a submarine when she was attacked and sunk by H.L. Hunley in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
Did the Hunley sinks the Housatonic?
(Gilder Lehrman Collection) On the night of February 17, 1864, during the Civil War, the Confederacy made naval history off Charleston, South Carolina. The H. L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship, the USS Housatonic, in combat.
What Union ship did the Hunley sink?
U.S.S. Housatonic
On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Housatonic. The Hunley struck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. The Housatonic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle.
When did the Hunley sink the USS Housatonic?
17 February 1864
| Sinking of USS Housatonic | |
|---|---|
| A drawing of H.L. Hunley by R.G. Skerrett. | |
| Date 17 February 1864 Location Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina 32°43′7″N 79°48′17″WCoordinates: 32°43′7″N 79°48′17″W Result Pyrrhic Confederate victory | |
| Belligerents | |
| United States (Union) | CSA (Confederacy) |
What ship did the CSS Hunley sink?
What killed the men on the Hunley?
DURHAM, N.C. — The H.L. Hunley, the first combat submarine to sink an enemy ship, also instantly killed its own eight-man crew with the powerful explosive torpedo it carried, according to new research from a Duke University Ph. D. in biomedical engineering.
What killed the crew of the Hunley?
The submarine had hit its target, punching a lethal blow through the boat’s underbelly. The force of the blast rippled through the entire ship, and even the sailors at the bow nearly 200 feet away instantly understood that their vessel would soon be on the ocean floor.” And so would Hunley.
When was the sinking of the USS Housatonic?
The Sinking of the USS Housatonic by the Submarine CSS H.L. Hunley , off Charleston, South Carolina, 17 February 1864 ordering defensive measures against Confederate torpedo boats.
Who was the captain of the USS Housatonic?
Housatonic was commanded by Captain Charles W. Pickering and had a crew of 150 men. H.L. Hunley began her approach at about 8:45 pm, commanded by First Lieutenant George E. Dixon and crewed by seven volunteers.
Where was the USS Housatonic Hunley built?
Information on the Hunley obtained by the U.S. Navy from the interrogation of Confederate deserters. JANUARY 7, 1864. The “American Diver,” [H. L. Hunley] was built at Mobile and was brought on two platform cars from Mobile to Charleston; saw her in all stages of construction at Mobile. Sometimes worked near her in the same shop.
How tall are the manholes on the USS Housatonic?
Manholes are about 16 inches high and are just above water when trimmed. Believes was brought here about 1st September; has seen her working in the water afloat; passed her in the gigshe being [sic] the last time before his arrival. Has drowned three crews, one at Mobile and two here, 17 men in all.