Clues to Confederate mystery: Sub’s crew never dumped weight
By JEFFREY COLLINS / Associated Press
Posted Jul 18, 2018 at 5:17 PM Updated Jul 18, 2018 at 5:17 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Scientists studying the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy ship said Wednesday that the doomed Confederate crew did not release an emergency mechanism that could have helped the vessel surface quickly.
The 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of what are called keel blocks would typically keep the H.L. Hunley upright, but also could be released with three levers, allowing the sub to surface quickly in an emergency, said archaeologist Michael Scafuri, who has worked on the submarine for 18 years.
http://www.savannahnow.com/news/20180718/clues-to-confederate-mystery-subs-crew-never-dumped-weight
