Friends of the Hunley

Today is an important anniversary in submarine history. In the early hours of September 7th, 1776, the first documented submarine attack occurred when the Turtle attempted to sink a ship in the British fleet off the coast of New York during the American Revolution.

The small and pioneering submersible held only one-man and was developed by David Bushnell. If the Turtle still exists today, her whereabouts are unknown. Though success eluded the Turtle that night, her historic attack was an important step toward the age of the submarine and taking combat beneath the water’s surface. It would be almost a century later until a successful submarine attack occurred with the H. L. Hunley. Learn more about the Turtle here...

Today in Hunley history: On August 29, 1863 the Hunley was moored at Ft. Johnson in Charleston in preparation for a test mission when fate intervened and claimed the lives of five of her eight crew members. Undaunted by the accidental sinking, she was raised and another brave crew volunteered to man the Hunley and carry on as pioneers in submarine warfare. Learn more here about the trials and tribulations that led to the Hunley becoming the world’s first successful combat submarine.