What happened to the Housatonic?
Housatonic is recognized as being the first ship sunk in combat by a submarine when she was attacked and sunk by H.L. Hunley in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
Why did the Lusitania sink so quickly?
The ship sank within 20 minutes of being hit by a German torpedo. There has been much speculation about its quick demise, many pointing to the second explosion that occurred after the initial torpedo strike. Some believe damage to the steam room and pipes caused the latter blast, hastening the Lusitania’s sinking.
Why did the Hunley want to attack the USS Housatonic?
Hunley made her first mission against an enemy vessel during the American Civil War. Armed with a spar torpedo, mounted to a rod extending out from her bow, H.L. Hunley’s mission was to lift the blockade of Charleston, South Carolina by destroying the sloop-of-war USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor.
Why did Germany torpedo the Lusitania?
It was revealed that the Lusitania was carrying about 173 tons of war munitions for Britain, which the Germans cited as further justification for the attack. The United States eventually sent three notes to Berlin protesting the action, and Germany apologized and pledged to end unrestricted submarine warfare.
Were there bodies found in the Hunley?
Crew Remains: Archaeologists excavating the Hunley after its recovery in 2000 found the crewmembers’ remains were largely found at their stations, with no sign of panic or desperate attempts to escape the submarine.
What caused the Hunley to sink?
On February 17, 1864, the ship headed out of Charleston Harbor and approached the U.S.S. Housatonic. The Hunley struck a torpedo into the Yankee ship and then backed away before the explosion. The Housatonic sank in shallow water, and the Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle.
What was the sister ship to the Lusitania?
Mauretania
Get the story behind the ill-fated British ocean liner. Known as the “Greyhounds of the Seas,” Lusitania and its sister ship, Mauretania, were the fastest passenger liners of their age, capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in under five days.
What killed the men on the Hunley?
The Hunley itself later sank, with its crew of eight aboard. According to research led by Rachel Lance, who studied the incident during her Ph. D. in biomedical engineering at Duke University, the crew were killed by massive lung and brain injuries caused indirectly by their own torpedo.
What killed the crew of the Hunley?
The Confederate Army took control of Hunley, with all orders coming directly from General P. G. T. Beauregard, with Lt. George E. Dixon placed in charge. On 15 October 1863, Hunley failed to surface after a mock attack, killing all eight crewmen.
How many died on the Housatonic?
In mere moments, a large explosion on the Housatonic sunk the vessel. Despite the rapid sinking, most of the ship’s 150-member crew had enough time to abandon the ship. Only five of the Union crew were reported killed.
Where did the USS Housatonic get its name?
USS Housatonic (1861) Named for the Housatonic River of New England . Housatonic was launched on 20 November 1861, by the Boston Navy Yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts, sponsored by Miss Jane Coffin Colby and Miss Susan Paters Hudson; and commissioned there on 29 August 1862, with Commander William Rogers Taylor in command.
When did the Housatonic Railroad start and end?
Housatonic Railroad, a railroad that operated independently 1836–1892, as a subsidiary 1892–1970s, and a separate company started in 1983 in western Connecticut. SS Georgia (1890), a German passenger liner seized by the United States during World War I, renamed Housatonic, and sunk by a German submarine.
Where is the Housatonic River in Massachusetts?
Housatonic may refer to: Housatonic, Massachusetts, a census-designated place in the town of Great Barrington Housatonic River, a river in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut, and the source for other uses of the word Housatonic Valley, the valley and watershed of the Housatonic River
When did the USS Housatonic board the Princess Royal?
On 29 January 1863, her boats, aided by those of USS Augusta, USS G. W. Blunt, and USS America, boarded and refloated the iron steamer Princess Royal.
