Sea of Darkness: Unraveling the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley

by Brian Hicks

On a dark night in February of 1864, the H.L. Hunley , the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, torpedoed the Union blockade ship USS Housatonic , a feat that would not be repeated for another 50 years. But fate was not kind to the Hunley that night as it sank with all of its crew on board before it could return to shore. Considered by many to be the Civil War’s greatest mystery, the Hunley ’s demise and its resting place have been a topic of discussion for historians and Civil War buffs alike for more than a hundred years.Adding still more to the intrigue, the vessel was discovered in 1995 by a dive team led by famed novelist and shipwreck hunter Clive Cussler, sparking an underwater investigation that resulted in the raising of the Hunley on August 8, 2000. Since that time, the extensive research and restorative efforts underway have unraveled the incredible secrets that were locked within the submarine at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.Join Civil War expert Brian Hicks as Sea of Darkness recounts the most historically accurate narrative of the sinking and eventual recovery ever written. Hicks has been given unprecedented access to all the main characters involved in the discovery, raising, and restoration of the Hunley . Complete with a foreword and additional commentary by Clive Cussler, Sea of Darkness offers new, never-before-published evidence on the cause of the Hunley ’s sinking, providing readers a tantalizing behind-the-scenes look inside the historic submarine.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Civil War, Military Fiction, War, American History, Nautical

Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

Reviews

[Susan W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and well written

[Michelle Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I love history and I think this books does a great job of telling the story of the Hunley from the beginning to the present. I really like how the chapters alternate from the past to the present. It works because it keeps you immersed in both sides at the same time. As a lifelong South Carolina resident, I remember when the sub was found and I remember the fanfare when it was raised and the crew were buried. I wish I could have been there for those events, but I was too young to go alone. I knew some of the story but this book completed the picture. I also encourage you to visit the Hunley. I saw it earlier this year and it was very emotional for me. I look forward to seeing it again when it is not in a tank of alkali solution and I can get a better look. I definitely respect all the work that has gone into protecting this living piece of history. It's amazing to see and works such as Sea of Darkness make you understand exactly what all went into making that experience possible.

[Peter DeSilvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

very up to date and complete, honest and addresses almost every theory involving the sub. Does not sensationalize stuff not backed up by facts. Not to hard to get through and good read if you admire the works of Clive Cussler. I'd recommend it

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I requested the book from our library after we visited the Hunley. I was anxious to learn more and I sure did! I thoughly recommend this to anyone who is interested in history or the Hunley.

[Julie Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone with Lowcountry ties needs to read this book!

[AshleyKantorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! If you are a history lover or adventurer lover it has both for you.

The H.L Hunley was the first functional submarine to sink a warship during the civil way before it was lost to time. 3 crews lost their lives while piloting this craft. 2 crews during training accidents and the last when it finally sunk a Union War Ship. The submarine was named after the mastermind of the boat and to learn of how much effort he and others put into building it was amazing.

The ship was lost to history before writer Clive Cussler decided to search for it. (Clive Cussler is also my favorite author so I may be a little biased lol).

The book switched between past and present. It tells about the building and history of the submarine and the brave men who lost their lives. It also teaches about the search and raising of the Hunley and some of the preservation process with photos.

Seeing the photos is just mind blowing. The cramped space they had to work in for the hours they were in the submarine will make anyone claustrophobic

All in all very interesting book and to learn of how they found this missing submarine and how they are restoring it is amazing. It’s a tragic story with so many lives lost but such an intriguing read to learn that something so advanced was around in the 19th century

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read. Keeps your interest, but long. I loved the first book and this one was just as good with updates! Still no conclusive answer as to what happened but several plausible explanations given. Will make you want to visit the Hunley if you haven’t already. I also definitely recommend visiting if you can.

[Terry Lehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I enjoyed how the past and present were portrayed together to get a true sense of the history o the Hunley

[Roger Piasecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a civil war reader of books and magazines and after visiting the Hunley museum, this book was a wonderful read. I wish I read this before my visit because I would have visited the cemetery.

[Karmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The HL Hunley, a submarine, was designed in Mobile, AL by James McIntlock asfinanced by Horace Hunley. It was built by Thomas Park and Thomas Lyons.

Hunley was seeking to become a "great man" and leave behind a great legacy in his support of the Confederacy. It sought to help them break the Union blockade in South Carolina.

Feb. 17, 1864 was its 3rd and final and fatal mission. Under the captaincy of George Dixon, the boat sank the SS Housatonic but went missing. It had been found shortly after the Civil War was over but the funds were not available to raise it.

The boat was discovered in modern times by Clive Cussler in April of 1995. Competing claims were made with the state of SC winning, helped by its senator Glenn McConnell. With $3m in Federal funds, he put Warren Lasch in place to spearhead the recovery effort. The boat was finally raised Aug 8, 2000 by Oceaneering Intl under less than ideal conditions.

The boat was transferred to a conservation facility. It has been worked on to reclaims its contents, inside & out.
The crew's remains were found and transported to a cemetery with the prior crews.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone who wants to know more about the Civil War era of US history. It appears pretty honest and straightforward; laying out the history of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley from it's inception through it's construction and employment....including the three sinkings. I bought the book while visiting the the Hunley Museum at North Charleston. It's very up to date and the narrative switches from 1860s to the period of the raising during the 20th and 21st centuries. That organization is effective in keeping one's interest. The story is told with as much honesty and little speculation as is possible. I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

[Jennifer Goins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I JUST GOT DONE READING ABOUT THE H.L. HUNLY SEA OF DARKNESS. I NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT THIS ABOUT THE SUBMARINE'S UNTIL I WON THIS BOOK. I GOT THIS BOOK FROM GOODREADS FRIST READ. THIS IS A GOOD HISTORY BOOK TO READ I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE WHO LIKES TO READ ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR AND ABOUT THE FIRST SUBMARINE. I HOPE SOME DAY I MIGHT GET TO GO AND SEE THIS. CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE ABOUT H.L. HUNLEY. THANK YOU TO GOODREADS FRIST READ AND TO THE AUTHOR BRAIN HICKS FOR THE BOOK. I HAVE TO GIVE THIS A 5+ STAR THAT'S HOW GOOD THE BOOK IS.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fascinating collection of facts about not just raising the sub and the battles they faced there, but the journey to build it and use it during the Civil War. So much about it was misunderstood or based on faulty information that it truly became one of the wars greatest mysteries.

[Bob Ciminel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

As a former submariner stationed in Charleston in 1965, I knew nothing about the Hunley or it’s attack on the Housatonic. I lived on the Isle of Palms (Long Island) and crabbed in Breaches Inlet, never knowing the historical events that happened there.

[Kate Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was terrific. A must-read for any Civil War, Maritime Archaeology, or Historical Preservation enthusiast. Easy to read, hard to put down.

[Teresa Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from front to back. I loved how they did 1800s then 1980s to now. If you are a hunley fan it is a must read!!!