Hunley scientists get pumped
Final major piece out; conservation can begin
The Post and Courier
Conservator Philippe de Vivies (left) and Typhanie Brocard help remove the forward ballast pump from the H.L. Hunley on Thursday. The 250-pound pump is the last piece of the sub that has to be removed before conservation of the hull can begin.
The Post and Courier
This forward ballast pump was removed from the Hunley Thursday. Scientists plan to conduct tests on the pump, which they hope will shed some light on the submarine crew's final moments.
If you go
What: Hunley tours
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Where: 1250 Supply St., former Charleston Naval Base, North Charleston.
How much: $12. Call 1-877-448-6539 or buy via Friends of Hunley Web site.
On the web: www.hunley.org
Now all she needs is a little scraping, a nice chemical washing, and the Hunley will be nearly as good as new.
Just don't try taking her for a spin around the harbor.
On Thursday, scientists took out the Civil War-era submarine's forward ballast pump, the last major piece they needed to remove before they can begin the conservation process. It sounds easier than it was.
Just to detach the pump, they had to drop a keel block that probably weighed 500 pounds. Then, workers had to maneuver the oddly shaped piece past the sub's steering stick, diving plane axle and one of the sub's supporting ribs.
"It is the most complicated piece of machinery in the Hunley, and it was one of the hardest things to take out," said Paul Mardikian, the sub's senior conservator.
With no other major pieces to remove, scientists can face several years of rehabilitation to refurbish and stabilize the iron submarine.
Meanwhile, scientists hope the 250-pound pump will answer a few questions. The settings of the valves inside the pump could reveal whether the men on the Hunley were trying to pump water out of the sub in their final moments. Tests conducted on the piping while the pump still was attached were inconclusive — too much mud inside to see anything.
Maria Jacobsen, the senior Hunley archaeologist, said they also will try to determine whether the pump was originally built for another use and adapted to the sub or built specially for it. That answer has proved elusive, but most people on the project say the odd dimensions of the sub would make it difficult, but not impossible, to make any old thing fit in.
Like everything on the sub, the pump's exterior pipes had many functions. Besides letting the crew expel water and move it from one tank to the other for balance, the outflow pipe also was made to serve as a step for men coming into the sub through the forward hatch.
Lt. George Dixon, the sub's commander, also had a wooden bench built to fit on the pipe, giving him a seat.
For now, the scientists are awaiting an engineering study that will tell them how stable the sub is, in hopes they can sit it upright in the tank. From there, they will begin to scrape off the concretion — a rock-hard mixture of sand and shell — that covers, and for now protects, the sub's hull.
Mardikian says that process could take four people nearly a year to do. When that's finished, and scientists have a chance to finally examine the bare hull for signs of damage or clues to the reason the sub sank, the conservation will begin.
Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com
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Comments
moonpie (anonymous) says...
I bet Glen McConnell is beside himself today! Wonder if the SC HWY patrol still guard this rust bucket?
May 23, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
All this wonderful construction going on meanwhile our children are riding in rolling deathtraps, glad to see SC has their priorities in order! (Note the not so subtle sarcasm)
May 23, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoHawk (anonymous) says...
Is this reclamation project State or federally funded or supported by private contributions? Even if it is a part of the State budget with the emphasis the entire area places on historic preservation, isn't the Hunley certainly worth preservation?
As to reference to rolling death traps, I won't even begin to expound upon the driving habits of parents with children in any car, truck or suv. Are the school busses safe? Without restraint systems I would say that they are not. Do you make your own children (teenagers not exempted) buckle up in the back seat? (Note the not so subtle sarcasm) And it isn't only seatbelting issues but speeding. I get passed doing the speed limit as if I were standing still. That means the driver passing me is at least 10 mph over the limit when passing, is that safe? No, it isn't. Cellphone (talking, texting, etc.) usage while driving, we all know that they aren't safe to use without a hands free device while driving.
I can't imagine the fortitude and courage it took to climb into the Hunley knowing that it probably was your last act. The memory of the brave crew(s) deserve this preservation.
May 23, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Sorry Palmetto, I dont have my first child until November. But when my younger siblings DO get in my car, I make sure they buckle up, I dont crank my car until ALL seatbelts are on. Sorry if my priorities are on the children. *shrug*
May 23, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
This piece of junk is a great waste of much needed public money. If Glenn McConnell wants it to be refurbished let him pay for it out of his own pocket, otherwise toss it back into the harbor!!!!!
May 23, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ Chris
May 23, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
The Hunley is self supporting so far.
May 23, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Thanks for clearing up the self supporting issue, I honestly didn't know that.
May 23, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WestAshleyMomma (anonymous) says...
The Hunley is part of SC's history. If you don't care about our history, get out or go back where you came from. I pay taxes for YOUR kids (or soon to be kid) to ride those buses, and my child NEVER rode them. My parents paid for those buses, and I never rode them either. How about this, I'll pay for the Hunley out of my taxes and YOU pay for the school buses!!!!!!
May 23, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
itypeit69 (anonymous) says...
The Hunley is one of the most valuable historic artifacts of the Civil War. It would be worth salvaging and restoring no matter the cost. The fact that so many people have given of their time, energy, and funding to support the conservation of the Hunley is a testament to this fact. It is a self-supporting conservation effort - please remember that. That means, if you don't like it, you don't have to support it. If you do support it, that's also your choice. I, for one, support this conservation effort. To know that those men entered what they knew to be a death trap - it had killed before - to perform the duties they believed were right, took a courage I honestly don't believe too many people in this day and age have. They knew going in that they might not live - but they did it anyway. THAT'S the definition of courage & sacrifice. What we may learn from this effort is worth the cost.
May 23, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
If you read what I wrote WestAshleyMomma, you will see that I said that I DID NOT KNOW that it was privately funded. How about this, you read before you put your caps lock on and "yell" at me? Agreed? Great. Have a pleasant weekend.
May 23, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
The Hunley is not merely a Civil War artifact, it is an important piece of naval history as well.
Of course the Hunley is closely associated with the Civil War as well as with McConnell--is this what is causing some people to, in knee-jerk fashion, summarily disregard & dismiss its importance & significance?
May 23, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
abitskeptical...'tis possible your assertion is correct. :-)
May 23, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
So, how about that forward ballast pump?
May 23, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
I'm sure my husband & sons think it is way awesome...
May 23, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CountryGirl (anonymous) says...
I don't think people would be so negative about the Hunley project if they didn't have to see soooo much coverage and look at Glen McConnell sooo many times.
I think the project is important for our history though. I'm glad it's being done.
May 23, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
How in the world can anyone complain about the money spent on the Hunley. The Hunley will more than pay for itself. When the Hunley restoration is complete the complainers will have the next few hundred years to complain about how all the money it brings in is spent.
May 23, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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