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January 25, 2006
Dive Technology in Action
Posted by victoria at 08:14 AM
January 24, 2006
Shipwreck Central Quiz 06
Watch this video and try our newest quiz.
Posted by victoria at 06:55 AM
January 23, 2006
Hot Day on the Baltic
Posted by victoria at 01:38 PM
January 16, 2006
Update on the Hunley
Hunley Team Discovers Clue to Legendary Sub's Disappearance
By Kellen Correia, Naval Historical Center Public Affairs
CHARLESTON, S.C (NNS) -- Scientists working with the Naval Historical
Center (NHC) to try to solve the mystery of the Confederate submarine H.L.
Hunley's disappearance in 1864, stumbled onto yet another mystery in
December.
A view port on the left front side of the submarine is completely missing,
possibly a catastrophic result of the Hunley's historic battle with the
Housatonic.
Some have speculated Sailors aboard Housatonic may have shot out the view
port, causing the submarine to fill with water. That theory fails to explain
why scientists have not found any of the view port's glass inside the
submarine. Mysteriously, they have also found no traces of the port itself.
There is just a hole where it once was.
"This view port has always held the promise of being the smoking gun, but it
appears the gun is missing," Hunley Commission Chairman Sen. Glenn McConnell
said. "Whether this is just damage the Hunley suffered from being lost at
sea for more than a century, or it's something else, is a question we hope
to answer in the coming months. One clue may come when we take off the
concretion on the conning tower. We'll be looking closely for the indention
of gunshots in that metal."
Scientists recently made an important discovery that may support this
theory. While working to remove glass from the Hunley's view ports, they
found not all the windows of the Hunley are alike.
The deadlights running along the top of the submarine had covers that could
be closed to block the glow of candle light from emitting through the glass.
The conservation team said it appears the forward conning tower's view ports
did not have that capability.
The light shining from the forward conning tower's view ports may have
helped Sailors aboard the Housatonic detect Hunley's presence. Historical
records reveal Hunley was spotted and fired upon moments before she
deployed the explosive torpedo that sent Housatonic to the bottom of the
sea. Since the forward conning tower's view ports could not be covered,
those shooting at Hunley may have used the illuminated view ports as their
bull's eye target.
The missing view port could have been a result of this gunfire. If the view
port were successfully shot at, portions of the glass would have shattered,
falling into Hunley. At this time, no glass associated with this port has
been found, but Hunley archaeologist James Hunter said it's possible some
glass could still be buried in the thick concretion covering the bottom of
the submarine.
The lack of covers for the forward conning tower's view port was not a
design oversight, but rather a necessity. On the night of Hunley's historic
mission, crew commander George Dixon placed his head in the forward conning
tower and used the view ports to navigate toward his target. The ability to
close the view ports simply was not needed because it would have been
impossible to steer the submarine blind to the outside world.
Also, the conning tower is only about 15 inches wide, leaving little room
for Dixon to quickly close and open the view ports while the submarine
approached the enemy. "The Hunley was built to maximize her ability to
travel smoothly and quickly beneath the water's surface. The small conning
towers contribute to the Hunley's overall design as a hydrodynamic
underwater weapon," Hunter said.
Ultimately, scientists will use the clue of the missing view port, along
with hundreds of others, to piece together the complex mystery of Hunley's
disappearance.
You can view the original
story here.
Posted by victoria at 07:17 AM
January 12, 2006
Shipwreck Central Quiz 05
How many quizes will there be? Well at least 5.... Good Luck!
Posted by victoria at 07:44 AM
January 10, 2006
Shipwreck Central Quiz 04
Have a go at Quiz 04!
Posted by victoria at 07:42 AM
January 03, 2006
This Friday on History Television
One year ago the Sea Hunters set out for the Straits of Magellan and their first dive of 2005. Join us this Friday on History Television for The Search for HMS Doterel: January 6 at 2:00 PM EST (CC)
For detailed information about the search check out the Live Dive archives under Doterel.
Posted by victoria at 11:33 AM
