Final Report: Investigation into the Loss of the H.L. Hunley

Abstract

The H.L. Hunley carried out the first successful submarine attack in history. However after a successful attack, the submarine disappeared with little evidence has to how it happened. This report documents work on two ONR grants exploring the naval architecture of the submarine. This work was conducted to support high-fidelity underwater explosion modeling of the attack at NSWCCD (not discussed here), but also sheds new light on the final mission and circumstances of the vessel’s loss. The vessel’s hullform, weights, stability are all discussed, along with model test for the vessel’s resistance and potential flooding rates. While the investigation did not reach a firm conclusion the cause of the loss, the results further illuminate the operation of vessel and avenues for further technical study.