THE FIRST SUBMARINE TO SINK A SHIP
The first submarine to sink an enemy ship was the H. L. Hunley during the American Civil War. On
February 17, 1864, a Confederate submarine with a crew of 8, including Confederate Lt. George Dixon, set off into
the Charleston Harbor to sink the Union ship U.S.S. Housatonic. The sub was man powered by hand cranks attached to
the propeller shaft.
They were successful in attaching an explosive to the U.S.S. Housatonic and detonating it,
sending the ship to the bottom, however, before it could return to port, the H.L. Hunley sank to the bottom also
killing its entire crew.
INTERESTING BOOKS ABOUT THE H. L. HUNLEY
Convergence of Valor: The Men of the H. L.
Hunley
Shipwreck Search: Discovery of the H. L. Hunley (On My Own
Science)
The CSS H.L. Hunley : Confederate Submarine
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