THE ONLINE VERSION - FOR SUBSCRIBERS
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. ENTER E-MAIL ADDRESS |
by George W. Penington - Editor
AUGUST 8, 2003
ISSUE #39
1) Welcome to the new Hunley
Newsletter>
2) REBURIAL OF THE HUNLEY'S
LAST CREW
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3) DIXON'S WATCH IS OUT
OF TOWN >
4) WHO DIDN'T DISCOVER THE HUNLEY
>
5)
SPENCE COMMENTS ABOUT ENDORSEMENTS >
6)
FROM THE GUEST BOOK>
7)
E-MAIL >
8)
RESPONSE ABOUT PARK AND LYONS
9)
OUR PURPOSE AND GOALS
>
1) WELCOME TO THE NEW HUNLEY NEWSLETTER
A special welcome to all the new subscribers. This newsletter is published every two weeks so no one is bombarded with mail. This issue contains my response to a letter received from Mark K Ragan that struck a nerve. Dixon's watch left town and no one told us. There is some interesting E-mail and information about Parks and Lyons in Mobile, Al.
Special
Notice: We have decided to only send out a text edition of the
Newsletter after this month. All subscribers will be also sent the
link for the online edition that you can save to your own computer
to read or print at your leisure. I feel with the pictures that the
letters in HTML format are heavy and burdensome for dial up
connections and take too long to download
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C.S.S.
David model
1/72 :Special
Price:
39.95.
Also you will
Receive a free
Hunley Commemorative Coin
a $20.00 value Free. When you place your order today.
The Hunley store now has the
new David model. The kit was created from first hand observations and
archeological |
Photography: |
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Circular Church on Meeting Street destroyed in the fire of 1861. The Bombing of Charleston slowed any chance of restoration until after 1865. |
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POST OFFICE AND OLD EXCHANGE BUILDING - CORNER OF BROAD AND EAST BAY STREETS LOOKING TOWARD THE BATTERY 1865 and TODAY. Digital Enhancement by George W. Penington |
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2) REBURIAL OF THE HUNLEY'S
LAST CREW
The burial of the
final crew of the H. L. Hunley is scheduled for Saturday, April
17th, 2004 starting at 10:00 a.m. at White Point Gardens, followed
by a funeral procession and ending at Magnolia Cemetery for the
burial. |
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3)
DIXON'S WATCH IS OUT OF TOWN We were wondering where Dixon's watch was hiding and why it wasn't on display at the Warren Lasch Lab - Well, the Yankee's have got it until June 4, 2004. NATIONAL CLOCK AND WATCH
MUSEUM COLUMBIA, PA: The National Watch & Clock Museum announces a special Civil War exhibit Home Front to Battlefield: Keeping Time in the Civil War. The exhibit will feature the role of the navy, manufacturing, and the railroad during the Civil War with a focus on timepieces and timekeeping. The special exhibit is scheduled to open in conjunction with the anniversary of the burning of the Wrightsville Bridge on June 28 and continue to June of 2004. Highlights of the exhibit include the first
public display of the pocket watch belonging to Lt. George Dixon,
captain of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley.
In March 2003 the National Watch & Clock Museum was contacted by Hunley Archaeologists to assist with the identification and preservation of Dixon’s watch. The National Watch & Clock Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is operated by the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc. a non-profit association with 30,000 members and 175 chapters worldwide. April to December the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. January through March the Museum is open until 4 p.m. and is closed Sunday. The special exhibit, Home Front to Battlefield: Keeping Time in the Civil War opens Saturday, June 28 and continues through June of 2004.
H.L. HUNLEY ARCHAEOLOGISTS TURN TO NAWCC LAST MARCH, 2003 COLUMBIA, PA: For over 140 years scholars wondered about the crew's fate on the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley after it sank the USS Housatonic in 1864. The Hunley excavation team at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, Charleston, South Carolina recently located the pocket watch belonging to the Hunley's captain, Lt. George Dixon. The watch may offer clues that help researchers answer this age-old question. To assist with the opening and identification of this time treasure the Hunley staff turned to Dan Nied, Director, NAWCC School of Horology, and Connie Stuckert, PhD, Executive Director of The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors. During the visit Nied and Stuckert met with Senator Glenn McConnell, Chairman of the Hunley Commission, Warren Lasch, Chairman, Friends of the Hunley, Maria Jacobsen, Senior Archaeologist, Paul Mardikian, Senior Conservator as well as Brian Hicks and Schuyler Kropf co-authors of "Raising the Hunley". "It is an early phase of an extremely important partnership between us and The Hunley project. The resources of our Museum, School, Library and Association may be instrumental in the identification process of such an historic object," stated Connie Stuckert. Headquartered in Columbia, Pa, The National
Association of Watch & Clock Collectors is a non-profit 501(c)3
organization with about 30,000 members and over 175 chapters worldwide.
Also in Columbia, the Association operates The NAWCC School of Horology,
an accredited school teaching watch & clock repair, The National Watch &
Clock Museum and the Museum's Library and Research Center that is the
world's largest horological library Photo © Friends of the Hunley 2003 / Chris Ohm |
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4) WHO DIDN'T DISCOVER THE HUNLEY?
>
< One of the few things I know for
sure is that there are three people who did not discover the
Hunley.....I am one of them,... even though I fished over her for years
while she was right in the middle of my playground ....I wasn't looking for
her...the other is "Dirk Pitt" ... >
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT CLIVE CUSSLER HIRED SOME LOCALS TO FIND THE HUNLEY, HOW THEY DID IT CONCERNS ME!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Ragan [mailto:markkragan@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 12:11 PM
To: George W. Penington
Mr. Penington: I love your news letter even though it is not officially
approved by the Hunley Commission or the Friends of the Hunley. The only
thing I find disturbing in your letter is the repeated mentioning of Mr. E.
Lee Spence being the discoverer of the Hunley. Clive Cussler is taking Mr.
Spence to court very soon because of his fanciful claims. Cussler and his
NUMA dive team found the Hunley and this fact should be reflected in your
publication. Thank You...Mark K. Ragan (Hunley Project Historian)
Thanks for writing Mr. Ragan. I take that 'you love my newsletters' as a great compliment. As a "volunteer" volunteer I never stopped once in all these years to get "officially approved" maybe I will do that one day. I actually enjoy the exercise of "Freedom of the Press" and wouldn't want anyone telling me what to print or not print. The Friends of the Hunley, Inc. seem to be doing a great job but they make it a little difficult to get information that I think should be freely available and dispersed to all Americans. It may be that even though Glenn McConnell and I are fraternal brothers,.... he has never forgiven us for kidnapping him, tying him up and throwing him in the trunk of a car - blind folded and gagged - and then leaving him deep in the bowels of the old prison at Fort Moultrie. Fraternity hazing was rough back then....you could go to jail for that now and it wouldn't be at Fort Moultrie.
In regard to my mentioning of Dr. E. Lee Spence "being the discoverer of the Hunley" I am a little confused by your statement. The following quote is memorialized in your book,
"E. Lee Spence first began searching for the Hunley during the summer of 1970, He found it in November of 1970 and immediately reported it to the State. He did not publicize the discovery until 1975, and filed papers in Federal Court claiming ownership to the wreck in 1980. Plan for a National Geographic Expedition were made, but fell through. On September 14, 1995, at the request of the Hunley Commission and the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, he donated his rights to the State of South Carolina." THE HUNLEY: Submarines, Sacrifices, & Success in the Civil War, by Mark K. Ragan. (Miami/Charleston. Narwhal Press, Inc. 1995, page 214.)
So I simply agree with you that Lee discovered the Hunley in 1970. We are amongst a long list of people that concur on that fact, from high ranking state officials and politicians to the lowly volunteers such as myself. Have you noticed that more and more writers, journalist, webmasters, editors, etc. are less and less willing to endorse the discovery of the Hunley to Clive Cussler. People in their goodness have a way of discerning the truth and reading between the lines.
Over a quarter of a century ago, I recall Lee Spence coming into a local tavern called "The Three Nags", very excited, and jabbering about discovering the Confederate Submarine H. L. Hunley. In the midst of a pseudo-intellectual College of Charleston crowd not many people knew about the Hunley, were just discovering that there were places further north than North Charleston, and that Civil Rights was an issue with some that didn't know better. A year earlier Glenn McConnell was President of the Student Body and as a good fraternity brother had boosted me to President of the Sophomore Class. We were ruling the campus while Lee was diving the harbor. Who would have thought 33 years later how our lives would cross or yet how they will end up. The history books will wrench itself into a corrected path and record the truth and the truth is that DR. E. LEE SPENCE DISCOVERED THE HUNLEY IN 1970.
I made up my mind several years ago, after reviewing the evidence, that Dr. Spence had in fact discovered the HUNLEY. I choose not to take the easy way out and bend to the pressure that money and prestige can bear but to stick by him. You remember the old radical Jerry Reuben once said something truthful,... "The only justice in the Halls of Justice is in the halls". Well I'm standing in the halls behind Lee Spence.
I have read many places where Dr. Spence continuously desires to share credit regarding the HUNLEY, I think that it is very good of him to do so though I doubt if I would be so inclined..
5) SPENCE COMMENTS ABOUT ENDORSEMENTS
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".....I want to make
something clear. There are many people who deserve credit relating to
the Hunley. Although I don't approve of everything that has been done
and said relating to the Hunley, I recognize other peoples
contributions. .....Over the years, I have repeatedly commended the important and valuable contributions that Dr. Mark Newell, SCIAA, Cussler, NUMA, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and others have made towards the Hunley. .....I believe that there are literally hundreds of people and organizations who deserve credit to one degree or another. Some are Captain Joe Porcelli, who was master of the Miss Inah when I first dove on the wreck. David McGehee who helped me relocate it with a magnetometer. Captain Jack Parker who again helped me relocate it and more accurately plot its position. Oceaneering deserves credit, Salmons Dredging, etc. .....However, I was the original discoverer of the Hunley and I deserve credit for that. Just as Dr. Ballard deserves credit for his discoveries. To me correctly crediting the true discoverer is important. In any case, the credit for the discovery of the Hunley should not be "given" to someone who never dove on the wreck and wasn't even there when it was first found. I was there and I found the Hunley first. .....I also deserve credit for donating my title to the Hunley to the State of South Carolina, when the Hunley Commission officially requested that I do so in 1995. I did that even though I knew the Hunley was worth many millions of dollars. I greatly appreciated the letters of appreciation and commendation that I afterwards received from the South Carolina, the Governor and the Attorney General (who had signed the donation agreement) See/read the attorney General's letter (www.hunleyarchives.org/Condon092095.jpg). .....Please also check out the letter from Chris Amer, Deputy State Archaeologist for Underwater, at the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology & Anthropology (SCIAA), promising credit for discovery to Spence, not NUMA, if certain conditions were met. They were met. (See www.hunleyarchives.org/AmerSCIAAletter.htm) .....I still need people's help. Best wishes, Lee Spence http://www.treasurenet.com/forum/shipwrecks/messages/1003511.shtml |
realname:
Leo Carter
username: lacdoc@aol.com
url:
city: Cocoa Beach
state: FL
country: USA
Remote Name: 152.163.252.5
Date: Monday July 14, 2003
Time: 09:12:52 AM
comments I am happy to see that the submariners of this submarine will finally be on their Eternal Patrol.
Realname:
Roger Huntington
username: huntingtonr@bww.com
url:
city: Beaufort
state: SC
country: USA
Remote Name: 64.203.218.127
Date: Friday July 18, 2003
Time: 08:01:18 PM
Comments Outstanding. Bring back the skills game that was once here please?
country:
USA
Remote Name: 205.188.208.9
Date: Saturday July 19, 2003
Time: 09:23:16 PM
comments Today I visited Fort Sumter and tears came to my eyes as I gazed upon the Stars and Bars flying so proudly there. May our memories never become so short that we fail to honor the men who so proudly wore the Gray.
realname:
Chad Parsons
username: chadpar49@charter.net
url:
city: Conover
state: nc
country: USA
Remote Name: 24.196.197.142
Date: Sunday July 20, 2003
Time: 09:08:52 AM
comments Great story, Great movie, Great history. Great show about the recovery and the findings of the remains of the crew that will be buried properly in April. I plan to be there with all my fellow veterans to honor these "missing" sailors with a proper salute that is so long overdue.
realname:
Fritz Kurz
username: Krzbrod@aol.com
url:
city: Greenwich
state: Oh
country: USA
Remote Name: 205.188.208.9
Date: Sunday July 20, 2003
Time: 10:34:40 AM
comments Just enjoying your site. Enjoy learning what I can about Hunley and David. Will be back often. Fritz
realname:
Earl Sims
username: MUSTANGEARL@HOTMAIL.COM
url:
city: colquitt
state: Ga
country: USA
Remote Name: 65.137.38.177
Date: Tuesday July 22, 2003
Time: 09:38:53 AM
comments I'am a 3rd great grand son of confederate vet. Francis B. Hagan, Fla 9th inf. C.S.A. and a member of sons of confederate vets. I’m glade to have our proud history on the web.
realname:
DM Lesslie
username: midnight@webbsoft.net
url:
city: Rock Hill
state: SC
country: USA
Remote Name: 216.189.1.10
Date: Saturday July 26, 2003
Time: 09:53:10 AM
comments I have been trying to see this since it was opened to the public. Plan to see very soon.
realname:
john gray
username: jwgray@bushinternet.com
url:
city: edinburgh
state:
country: scotland
Remote Name: 80.225.143.6
Date: Sunday July 27, 2003
Time: 01:30:47 PM
comments
you guys take great pride in remembering "real" heroes. never let the political correct brigade take your rebel flag from you.
realname:
george p. lincoln III
username: GLincoln@aol.com
url:
city: attleboro
state: ma
country: USA
Remote Name: 64.12.96.9
Date: Tuesday July 29, 2003
Time: 07:34:41 PM
comments Have been enjoying this story because of the excellent and detailed coverage. I am looking forward to visiting the sub in the near future. Keep up the good work.
realname:
mark stepetz
username:
url:
city: sydney
state: nsw
country: australia
Remote Name: 203.194.16.17
Date: Saturday August 02, 2003
Time: 10:53:57 AM
comments seen the national geographic program about the raising of the Hunley, was hoping to find out more details. the program stopped short after the raising. even so it proved to be a very interesting program. the program was viewed in 2003.
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From:
Frazier113 EVEN THOUGH I FULLY
UNDERSTAND, AND APPRECIATE YOUR REASONING ON SENDING ONLY TEXT HEREAFTER - I
WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD TO STATE THAT I SHALL VERY MUCH MISS THE
PHOTOGRAPHS YOU HAVE THE MOST INTERESTING WEBSITE ON THE WWW AND EVERY TIME
I SEE ONE OF THE PICTURES, IT BRINGS BACK SUCH HAPPY MEMORIES OF MY TRIPS TO
CHARLESTON. Thanks so much for the great letter. I will still do the Charleston Photo’s (which is a new idea actually) and I love to visit New York, she has always treated me nice. The only difference will be that you have to click on the link provided, and if you are using Internet Explorer you just click on file save and you will have the pictures on you computer to look at any time you want. A plus is that you will be able to enlarge them and print them at you convenience. If it doesn’t work for you let me know and I will send you a special one. The only thing I do not have time for is to send out printed copies, shoot some of the newsletters run 22 pages, can you imagine. When I get on a topic I seem to go and go and never know if it is read or wanted. And the thanks go out to thousands of other people who give their efforts voluntarily and even some of the paid folks aren’t so bad. I am glad you are coming to Charlietown in April, the weather is always great and the people even better. Stay in touch and maybe we will all have a mint julep together. George W. Penington
Dear Mr. Pennington: SUBJECT: DIXON BURIAL
Sir- Has there been any further talk or plans regarding taking George
Dixon's body back to Mobile for burial? Would appreciate any info you can
give us. Many Thanks- H.M. Meredith, Commander, Walter P Lane SCV Camp
#1455, Longview, Texas.
8) RESPONSE ABOUT PARK AND LYONS
Hello,
I was wondering if the original Park and Lyons Machine Shop still stands
or, if not, what is now in its place. Also, what was the street address of
the shop?
Thanks, Scott
James McClintock and Baxter Watson joined Horace L. Hunley, Deputy Collector of Customs for the city of New Orleans, to build their first submarine, the Pioneer in 1862. Before testing was complete, they were forced to scuttle the submarine as Federal forces were moving to capture New Orleans. Hunley and his group fled to Mobile, Alabama, where operations were set up at the Parks and Lyons machine shop. Two engineers of the 21st Alabama infantry, Lieutenants George Dixon and William Alexander joined the group to design and build a second submarine, known as the American Diver or Pioneer II. Unfortunately, it sank off Fort Morgan while being towed through the water.
The shop was one of the best in Mobile with two large cranes, a foundry and a machine shop. It was located near the harbor on water street. Photo #: NH 53543 Park and Lyons machine shop building, Mobile,
Alabama
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shows State Street no longer intersects with Water Street-----Original Message----- From: Jay43rdva@aol.com [mailto:Jay43rdva@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 12:29 PM To: George@thehunley.com God Bless you and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this project. FYI, I am bringing about 50 compatriots to Charleston, SC on April 15, 2004 thru April 18, 2004 by motor coach from the Capt. James I. Waddell CSN Camp 1608, SCV Annapolis, Maryland. 20 of us are also members of the Md. Div. SCV Color Guard. We plan to march in the funeral services. We have 25 rooms at the Hampton Inn, Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant. I would appreciate any contact names, and other helpful information that may assist my group. Thank You. Deo Vindice Jay A. Moore [GWP] Thanks for writing Jay...I hope the Folks at Friends of the Hunley, Inc. are up to the task. It should be kinda wild around yuh. Stay in touch with the newsletter and I will let you know more as it comes available. Things seem to be a little haywire now but I am sure it will come together. A friend, George W. Penington
message:
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http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll
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9)
OUR PURPOSE AND GOALS
Is to provide specialized information to those who are interested in the recovery efforts and history of the Confederate Submarine H L Hunley. It is available free to anyone who might benefit from the information it contains, for example, students and history buffs. Our mailing list will always be kept private and will never be sold. Feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends or associates |
Don't forget to check out our
other newsletters online.