Interesting news story on the 'Hunley'

[SteamWake]

Yes its fox news... get over it.

Story on the investigation of the fate of the USS Hunley

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,475811,00.html

[AVGWarhawk]

I read this and it is interesting. I think they will never know the reason they did not return.

[August]

I read this and it is interesting. I think they will never know the reason they did not return.

Maybe not, but once restoration is complete they might be able to eliminate most of the possible scenarios...

[Frame57]

I would bet anoxia, but it does not explain why they sank if there was no flooding...?:hmm:

[SteamWake]

I would bet anoxia, but it does not explain why they sank if there was no flooding...?:hmm:

This seems to be the concensous. They passed out and... eventually sank. You have to remember they were already mostly 'sunk' to begin with.

Article states that the men were at their stations and the valve to pump out water was closed no evidence of 'panic'.

[AVGWarhawk]

Just a guess but how much room did these guys have to be anywhere but their stations? Panic or not, I suspect the only place they could stay was their stations.

[Frame57]

Just a guess but how much room did these guys have to be anywhere but their stations? Panic or not, I suspect the only place they could stay was their stations.I think you got it. Not much room at all. When I see those industrial propane tanks, I sometimes think I would like to get one and convert it into a submarine, they are about the same size of the Hunley.

[SteamWake]

I think you would be amazed as to the spaces one could squeze into when fighting for your life.

[AVGWarhawk]

I think you would be amazed as to the spaces one could squeze into when fighting for your life.
Not when you have a few tons of water over year head, two warships just above you and you are in a cigar holder. Fleet boat or U-boat the Hunley was not.

[August]

AVG has a point about the crew being at their stations but the bilge pump being closed does support the consensus theory. They would definitely be operating it if they were actively trying to stay afloat.

[SUBMAN1]

Have you ever been in a lack of O2 situation? I've been for extended periods above 14K and knows what it feels like. It's not pretty. I'm sure they all passed out from lack of O2. Best theory there is.

-S

[AVGWarhawk]

Have you ever been in a lack of O2 situation? I've been for extended periods above 14K and knows what it feels like. It's not pretty. I'm sure they all passed out from lack of O2. Best theory there is.

-S

I would go with theory as well. Lets face it, at least 7 guys huffing away at the prop crankshaft would depleat o2 rather quickly. Throw in one possible sinking warship with another warship coming to the rescue would not allow these sailors to surface.

[Rockstar]

Just a guess but how much room did these guys have to be anywhere but their stations? Panic or not, I suspect the only place they could stay was their stations.

I've been in North Charleston to see the Hunley. Even though humans were much smaller back then. I found it difficult to comprehend how they even got their stations, let alone trying to get out. I couldn't even imagine anyone moving around in that boat unless the one closest to the hatch got out of the way first and so on til the last man. It was amazingly small and confined barely enough room to propel the craft.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Hunley lab don't pass up the opportunity.