Sullivan's Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

CS H.L. Hunley

CS <i>H.L. Hunley</i> Marker - Side A image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

1. CS H.L. Hunley Marker - Side A

Inscription.
(Side A)
The CS H.L. HUNLEY, the first submarine to sink an enemy warship, left from a point near here on the evening of February 17, 1864, and proceeded out Breach Inlet toward the USS HOUSATONIC, anchored nearby. The HUNLEY rammed a fixed torpedo into the HOUSATONIC's hull below the waterline, sinking it within an hour with a loss of 5 Union sailors. The HUNLEY itself sank as well about 3.5 mi. offshore with its entire 9-man crew of Confederate volunteers.

(Side B)
The HUNLEY, named for Horace L. Hunley (1823-1963), an early promoter of Confederate submarines, had already lost a 5-man crew in August 1863 and an 8-man crew, including Hunley, in October 1863 during trial runs in Charleston Harbor. Its last crew, commanded by Lt. George E. Dixon of the 21st Alabama, included Fred Collins, James A Wicks, C. Simkins, Arnold Becker, and __ Ridgeway of the Navy, C.F. Carlson of Wagner's Co., S.C. Arty., __ white, and __ Miller.

Erected 1997 by Palmetto Soldiers Relief Society. (Marker Number 10-27.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 1868.

Location. 32° 45.549′ N,

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79° 51.394′ W. Marker is on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on Poe Avenue near Palmetto Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at Fort Moultrie. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1304 Poe Avenue, Sullivans Island SC 29482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: This is Sullivan's Island (here, next to this marker); Battle of Fort Sullivan (here, next to this marker); 7-Inch Brooke Rifle, Triple Banded (within shouting distance of this marker);

CS <i>H.L. Hunley</i> Marker - Side B image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

2. CS H.L. Hunley Marker - Side B

10-Inch Columbiad, Rifled and Banded (within shouting distance of this marker); 8-inch Parrott (200 Pounder) (within shouting distance of this marker); 10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman) (within shouting distance of this marker); 10-Inch Parrott (300 pounder) (within shouting distance of this marker); Buoyant Mine (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sullivan's Island.

Additional keywords. CS H.L. Hunley

CS <i>H.L. Hunley</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

3. CS H.L. Hunley Marker

CS H.L. Hunley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 15, 2025

4. CS H.L. Hunley

Model of CS H.L. Hunley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 15, 2025

5. Model of CS H.L. Hunley

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 15, 2025

6. Model of CS H.L. Hunley

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,118 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.