Near Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

H.L. Hunley

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

1. H.L. Hunley Marker

Inscription. On the night of February 17, 1864, the H.L. Hunley set out from Sullivan's Island, directly in front of you, with a torpedo attached to a seventeen-foot spar on her bow. Her target was the U.S.S. Housatonic, anchored four miles offshore. A Union lookout spied the suspicious object moving toward the ship and sounded the alarm. Engines started, but before the ship could move away an explosion ripped through the Housatonic's wooden hull and she quickly sank.

The H.L. Hunley disappeared after sinking the Housatonic. After searching for 131 years, in May 1995 the submarine was finally found 1,000 feet seaward of the Housatonic. The H.L. Hunley returned home on August 8, 2000, when she was recovered from her watery grave.

Built from an iron steam boiler, the H.L. Hunley was 40 feet long with a crew of 9 men. The submarine's sleek design helped her glide through the water up to 4 knots. The air supply was limited. Once the candle went out after 30 minutes the crew quickly returned to the surface for fresh air.

Two earlier accidents and the final sinking resulted in the death of 22 men who volunteered on this experimental "peripatetic coffin."

Erected by Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina - National Park Service

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- U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 2010.

Location. 32° 45.138′ N, 79° 52.44′ W. Marker is near Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It can be reached from the Fort Sumter Ferry Terminal. Located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. See links below for more information about access to the site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29412, 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

and specifically in the Deep South.

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: Controlling the Harbor (here, next to this marker); Blockade Runners (a few steps from this marker); 6.4-Inch (100-Pounder) Parrott (a few steps from this marker); The Columbiad (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironclads Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); Rearming the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); 8-inch (200 Pounder) Parrott (within shouting distance of this marker); Star of the West (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

More about this marker. On the upper left is an illustration showing H.L. Hunley on shore, 1863. She was the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship. Below the illustration

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2013

2. H.L. Hunley Marker

is a line drawing showing the side, front, and top profile of the submarine.

Also see . . . H.L. Hunley. Historical illustrations and photos of the recovery operations. (Submitted on May 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Markers overlooking the Main Channel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

3. Markers overlooking the Main Channel

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2013

4. H.L. Hunley

This scale model of the H.L. Hunley is located in front of the Charleston Museum.

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

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 9, 2013

5. H.L. Hunley Crewmen

This display of crewmen aboard the H.L. Hunley can be seen in the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 9, 2013

6. H.L. Hunley Marker

As illustrated on the marker, this display shows how the Hunley crew propelled the submarine.

The H.L. Hunley Under-going Preservaton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 20, 2023

7. The H.L. Hunley Under-going Preservaton

H.L. Hunley Under-going Preservation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 20, 2023

8. H.L. Hunley Under-going Preservation

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,941 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on May 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on September 12, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.