Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Sub reproduction on wish list

[Lew Clayman <lew_clayman@yahoo.com>]

--- Captain Nemo <vulcania@interpac.net> wrote:
> > Have the archeologist figured out why the Hunley sunk?
> > It made it out to the target with a sucessful attack but why did
> > it sink?
> 
> Still unknown.  The archeologists found Dixon's gold coin, though.

The standard theory seems to be that the Hunley became fouled in the trigger line and ignited the
torpedo when still too close to the charge.  Presumably, the wreckage would show evidence of this
in the form of perhaps buckling or other explosion damage.  But as she has rusted a bunch that
might be impossible to prove, and the line and the wooden appurtenances (I just love that word)
may well have rotted - also as she clearly was mobile for some time afterwards and the crew was
undoubtedly struggling to save her and themselves, all kinds of evidence may have been destroyed
that very night.  

It'll no doubt require some very clever technology to analyze the wreckage, possibly something
based on crystalline structure in the remaining metal, but I'm talking through my hat on that
guess.

-L

=====
"I am not religious man, but this I know:
 if there is a Hell, it has Karaoke Night."
          - Michael Palin 
=====

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