CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 15, 2007) – Friends of the Hunley and U-Haul today announced the release of 1,200 new 17-foot moving vans showcasing South Carolina’s historic H. L. Hunley submarine. In February 1864, the Hunley made history as the first underwater vessel to sink an enemy ship during combat.
U-Haul officially unveiled the South Carolina SuperGraphic as its “Venture Across America” Campaign visited the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
“We are thrilled to partner with Friends of the Hunley to educate the public about this vessel that made history more than 143 years ago,” stated Ray Moore, president, U-Haul Company of South Carolina. “Now, people all over will have the privilege of seeing and learning more about the technologically advanced craft, as she travels the country with U-Haul on the sides of our moving vans.”
“The Hunley project is honored and excited that U-Haul has selected the historical Hunley submarine as part of its ‘Venture Across America’ Campaign,” stated Sen. Glenn McConnell, Chairman of the South Carolina Hunley Commission. “We are in the process of solving one of the most intriguing mysteries in American history, and having the Hunley displayed on vehicles traveling across the country is a great opportunity for all to learn about this valuable time capsule in North Charleston, SC.”
U-Haul has been decorating its moving trucks with vibrant images featuring distinctive features of every U.S. state and Canadian province since 1988 with the launch of the “America’s Moving Adventure” and “Canada’s Moving Adventure” SuperGraphics Campaigns. The newest graphics are part of the “Venture Across America” Campaign that highlights little-known facts about North America. Nearly 200 different images have been created since the SuperGraphics Program began. They can be viewed online by visiting www.uhaul.com/supergraphics.
The Hunley Project
On the evening of February 17, 1864, the H. L. Hunley became the world’s first successful combat submarine by sinking the USS Housatonic. After signaling to shore that the mission had been accomplished, the submarine and her crew of eight mysteriously vanished. Lost at sea for over a century, the Hunley was located in 1995 by Clive Cussler’s National Underwater Marine Agency (NUMA). The innovative hand-cranked vessel was raised in 2000 and delivered to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, where an international team of scientists are at work to conserve the submarine for future generations and piece together clues to solve the mystery of her disappearance. The Hunley Project is conducted through a partnership with the South Carolina Hunley Commission, Clemson University Restoration Institute, and Friends of the Hunley.