• VISIT
    • Weekend Tours
    • School Tours
    • Group Tours
    • Directions
  • HISTORY
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • The Civil War
    • Naval Innovation
    • The Hunley is Born
    • The Hunley’s Sinkings
    • History is Made
    • The Search and Recovery
    • The Burial
  • SCIENCE
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • Excavation
    • Artifacts
    • Facial Reconstructions
    • Conservation
  • THE MYSTERY
    • Overview
    • Evidence
    • Theories
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT US
    • Overview
    • Contact Us
    • Press Releases
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
    • DONATE
    • RENEW MEMBERSHIP
  • BUY TICKETS
The Friends of The HunleyThe Friends of The Hunley
  • VISIT
    • Weekend Tours
    • School Tours
    • Group Tours
    • Directions
  • HISTORY
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • The Civil War
    • Naval Innovation
    • The Hunley is Born
    • The Hunley’s Sinkings
    • History is Made
    • The Search and Recovery
    • The Burial
  • SCIENCE
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • Excavation
    • Artifacts
    • Facial Reconstructions
    • Conservation
  • THE MYSTERY
    • Overview
    • Evidence
    • Theories
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT US
    • Overview
    • Contact Us
    • Press Releases
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
    • DONATE
    • RENEW MEMBERSHIP
  • BUY TICKETS

MYS­TERY OVER­VIEW

Why Did the Hunley Disappear?

The disappearance of the H. L. Hunley is one of the greatest mysteries in maritime history. Shortly after sinking the USS Housatonic on February 17th, 1864, the Hunley vanished without a trace. For more than a century, history buffs and adventurers speculated on the legendary submarine’s fate while divers searched for the wreck in the waters off Charleston.  When the Hunley was found in 1995, and then raised in 2000, many hoped the answer would finally be within grasp.

The archaeological examination of the wreck has provided tremendous insight into the pioneering submarine’s operation and offered many clues into the Hunley’s final moments.  Still, a complex puzzle has emerged with evidence sometimes creating more questions than answers.   We are closer to discovering the cause for the Hunley’s disappearance, but there is still no clear explanation.

Here, we have a listing of the evidence collected and some possible theories to explain why the Hunley didn’t return after her mission.  Tell us what you think by VOTING HERE or emailing info@hunley.org.

Scientists carefully open the forward hatch for the first time in over a century.

Next: The Evidence

Contact Info

  • Friends of the Hunley
  • 1250 Supply St, Charleston, SC 29405
  • 843-743-4865
  • info@hunley.org

Hunley Project Updates

  • Artifacts Belonging to Doomed 19th Century Submarine Captain Conserved
  • Hunley Launches New Visitor Experience & Fully Reopens After Closing Due to the Coronavirus
  • A Grateful World Says Goodbye to Clive Cussler
  • Golden Treasures from the Past
  • Lost Hunley Crew’s Air Circulation System May Not Have Been Functioning the Night the Submarine Vanished

Friends of the Hunley • P.O. Box 21600, Charleston, SC 29413 • 1250 Supply Street, North Charleston, SC 29405 • Copyright © 2023 Friends of the Hunley.