Solved: What killed the crew of the H.L. Hunley ...

[blackhawknj]

Again, First Generation technology. Last year I finally saw the Fenian Ram in Paterson, saw pictures of the interior-they were going to attack the British Fleet in THAT !?

[Vern Humphrey]

Again, First Generation technology. Last year I finally saw the Fenian Ram in Paterson, saw pictures of the interior-they were going to attack the British Fleet in THAT !?

Ah, they were smart enough not to use it that way -- the key was the EXISTANCE of the Fennian Ram. It cost the British money and time to take precautions against it. In Naval parlance, this is called "the Fleet in Being" -- the mere existence of a naval force has an effect on your opponent.

[blackhawknj]

The Fenian Ram never saw action. The story is the IRB stole it in a dispute over payment with Holland, then found out they didn't know how to operate it. He refused to help them. Fortunately it was preserved.

[Vern Humphrey]

The Fenian Ram never saw action. The story is the IRB stole it in a dispute over payment with Holland, then found out they didn't know how to operate it. He refused to help them. Fortunately it was preserved.

True, but as long as it existed, it was a threat the British had to take into account.

By the way, the IRB (Irish Republican Brotherhood) was in Ireland. Then counterpart in America -- the ones who stole the Fenian Ram -- was the Clann na Gael (Children of the Irish.)

[Fred Pillot]

Just read about it in Smithsonian, but it's been out there for several years. Like a sonic boom while transitioning from wet body parts to gasses in the body. Boom.

[Major Tom]

Clive Cussler, the famous author, was instrumental in the recovery of the Hunley. He died yesterday at age 84.

[jaie5070]

I always enjoyed his books.