The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-10-14

cScuc O1 operations was now |
changed to the Stone river, near Char
lesion. where. in shallow water, much |
caution could be exercised in order to
II possible further unneces-
sary disasters. Mr.. Hunley came over
Mobile to take charge, hoping
mat his previous experience might be
OF use In trying to solve the difficult
ties.>
The Stono river. An the face Of high
~ gratifying trials, became the scene
or the most fearful of all the vessels
after a series OF successful experiences,
her operator gave her too sharp an
running her nos forciblv in the
mu0 OF the bottom. Unable 70 dis
lodge the firm hold and beyond help
from those ashore, her crew persisted
mlserably by ~suffocation about the
manhOleS.
Veritable Death Trap.
Lured on by the trials in which the
Hunley seemed TO work with
alive ease and good control. the de-
termlned men of the besieged city
quickly raised the ill-omened craft.
ana Tor the fourth time performed the
solemn and grewSome duty of remoy-
ing from the dark interior the distort-
ed forms Of another useless sacrifice.
amazing as 1T may seem, this death
trap was almost Immediately put in
commission again and still more re-
cruits marched stoically to take their
places within the narrow walls that
had witnessed the death throes of
nearly thirty men.
AS was her apparent custom, the
Hunley went through a series OF sue
cessful maneuvers, among which was
a daily drill Of diving under the re-
ceiving ship Indian Chief n the
Charleston. Lieut.. Dixon a come
over from Mobile to superintend the
trials. he k Mr.. Hunley hoping
against hope that the time would come
when the boat could be put to the
practical use of destroying Federal
vessels.
Among the papers OF a Confederate
naval officer this extract was found:
Lieut.. Dixon was a very brave and
cool-headed man. and had every conf
dence in his boat. but he a great
trouble when under water from lack
Of air and light" The reference to
the difficulty concerning the air sup
ply recalls q remarkable incident that
occurred during n Of the trials. The
commanding officer on this occasion
agreed with the men h a they would
remain submerged as long as posi-.
BILE, but the moment any man could
not stand the strain they would i'm
mediately rise. The matches were
closed and they dropped to the bot.
tom. An ordinary candle was tn
only light illuminating the interior
THE oxygen rapidly became exhaust
ed and at length the candle succumb
ed in the vitiated air, yet it was hour
later when they all called for relic
as one man.. After this experience
the crew was i'll for some time.
The Fifth Tragedy.
But with all this perseverance a
devotion to duty, the fifth TRACED.
came with the same d~eath-dealin,
swiftneSs that characterized each o
the preceding calamities. One after
noon the spectators o n the wharve
and aboard the vessels caught sigh
Of a mass Of bubbles where they wer
expecting the appearance of the Hun
ley. There was NJ way by which al
could be given the periShing crew
There appears to be some doubt a
to the cause OF this disaster. Lieu,
!, Dixon, who witnessed the acciden
}. from q wharf nearby, said they faile
!. to close their air valve. while anothe
, version of the disaster is that she foul
i, ed one Of the cables of the India
> lChief. It matters little, however, fo
: it neceSsitated a repetition Of the pre-
viOuS salvage operations and the sam
: distressing duty Of removing tn
!. bodies Of the men.
Gen. Beauregard felt keenly tn
: useless sacrifice of 50 many brave mel
annd would not in spite Of Lieut. Di,
y on's entreaties, allow the Hurley I
. be used again. He afterwards r.
! Tented with the proviso that ST
: should be used only as a David-ths
is, submerged only to the water
edge. Under these conditions tt
lieutenant laid plans to attack TT
I Union vessels on the blockade.
q The following dispatch from an 0
icer in the Confederate nav, explain
the personnel Of the Hunley's la
q crew: Il beg leave to state that
h was not informed as to h service
which Lieut.. Dixon was engaged
e under what orders he was acting.
am informed that he requested Con
modore Tucker to furnish him son
y men. which he did. Their names a
as follows, viz: Arthur Becker,
o. Simpkins. James A. Wicks, +. Coli
" and one Ridgeway. all OF the nav
e and Corporal c: r. Garrison OF Cal
n Wagene company Of artillery.
I, uu>o H,-,lovs- act G1rovr