Scientists removing sub's crew
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
Staff reports
Archaeologists excavating the Hunley on Tuesday began the slow
process of removing the remains of some of the Confederate submarine's crew members.
Internet Web cams and video feeds at the Warren Lasch
Conservation Center were shut down out of respect for the crew members, according to the
offices of Friends of the Hunley.
Officials with the Hunley Commission and Friends of the Hunley
announced early in the excavation they would not allow the remains of the crew to be
photographed.
So far, archaeologists have found eight of the nine crew members.
The one still buried in the sediment is expected to be Lt. George Dixon, the sub's
commander.
Scientists have yet to excavate the area under the submarine's
forward conning tower, which is where Dixon would have controlled the sub's rudder, diving
fins and forward ballast tank.
As the scientists have neared the floor of the sub's crew
compartment, their work has slowed considerably as the archaeologists tried to work around
the remains.
The Hunley team expects to find more personal artifacts of the
crew on the floor of the sub, beneath the skeletal remains.
Bob Neyland, project manager, said the excavation should be
finished by the end of May.
Used with permission of The Post and Courier and Charleston.Net