After the American Civil War erupted in 1861, the Union, as the northern states were called, imposed a naval blockade on the Confederate States of America, as the seceding southern states were named.
This blockade was imposed gradually, but eventually began to strangle the South. By 1863, the Union naval barricade had stopped many supplies from reaching the Confederate states. While a number of military solutions were developed by southern strategists; such as building iron-clad ships, none were particularly effective. What was needed was something completely different. Two brilliant southern designers, Horace Hunley and James McClintock, invented a warship that could possibly turn the tide of the war. The name of this invention was the H.L. Hunley. It was the world’s first practical submarine.
By the end of 1863, a number of underwater trials had been carried out with the Hunley. Since the submarine portals were only a few inches above sea level, any type of accident could sink the boat. Two tests actually resulted in the submarine sinking with a subsequent loss of life. Both times the ship was raised from the floor of Charleston harbor. Each catastrophe was carefully studied, and additional safeguards were added to the vessel.
But as the southern situation in the war grew more desperate, the Confederate commander, General P.T. Beauregard, agreed to one final attempt at an underwater attack.
On February 17, 1864, eight southern sailors squeezed into the cramped, 40-foot long submarine. With a torpedo held by a shaft attached to the front of the submarine, they began hand turning the propeller and guided the Hunley toward the USS Housatonic. Sailors watching on the Union vessel thought a log was floating toward them. Quickly, they realized the “log” was being propelled and battle stations were sounded. Suddenly, there was an explosion and a blinding flash.
What really took place during the submarine attack? Did the southern sailors actually torpedo the northern ship? What happened to both the Hunley and the Housatonic?
Was naval warfare permanently altered by this event? Could scientists today actually discover what had occurred to both ships? If so, what tools did scientists need to comprehend the event?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out “Secrets of a Civil War Submarine” by Sally M. Walker.
This book is an excellent work of nonfiction. It will be intriguing to inquisitive students going into junior high school.
There is a wealth of technical information in the book. The second half of the book describes the scientific investigations conducted to solve the many riddles of the H.L Hunley. The amount of detail in the accounts might lead readers to think they are in a laboratory of a television crime show. The photographs and diagrams are quite precise and illustrative.
Fifth through seventh grade readers will appreciate the combination of history and science utilized in this appealing title. Teachers could assign this book for social studies or science class. I hope that you go to the library and check out this interesting book. You will learn a great deal about a Civil War event that altered military warfare. I learned many things about the naval aspects of the Civil War from reading this book. The book is an engaging read, and I hope you have the opportunity to check it out of the library.
