The story of Lt. Dixon’s lifesaving gold coin has inspired many over the years, including singer-songwriter Dr. Russell Riendeau, who recently released a new album featuring a song entitled H.L. Hunley: The Coin. During a visit to Charleston in 1998, he was touring the city by foot when he walked past the replica of the Hunley in front of the Charleston Museum.
“I was instantly captivated by the submarine’s size and ambitious mission she had undertaken,” Riendeau says. “I started to research more about the submarine. When she was finally raised and the longtime myth of the gold coin was brought to life, I was surprisingly emotional hearing the news. Years later, when more stories appeared in National Geographic and Archaeology Magazine, I was inspired to write a song that told the story with music that would capture the drama.” His song on the Hunley is featured on the Guitar Gumbo Album (2013 Global Journey Music).
Click this link to hear the song:
To support the Hunley’s efforts, Dr. Riendeau has donated albums to Friends of the Hunley. Guitar Gumbo is now featured in the Hunley gift shop and all proceeds from sales of the album go directly to support the Hunley Project.
