Product Description

"The Hunley: Submarines, Sacrifice & Success in the Civil War" (revised edition) by Mark Ragan, 256 pages (8.5x11). This well-researched book is extremely timely, as the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, which lay off Sullivan's Island near Charleston, South Carolina, was raised recently from its watery grave. The Hunley was the first submarine in history to sink an enemy warship. It has additional documentation and illustrations not used in the first edition. Paperback only (1-886391-43-2) $19.95.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1578491 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Mark Ragan is the official historian and a member of the Board of Directrors of the non-profit organization, which is currently in charge of the conservation of the famous wreck. He owns and operates a small submarine, which he has used in his underwater searches. He dove on the Hunley and worked with the team that investigated the Housatonic (the Hunley's victim). He had a part in the TNT movie "The Hunley," which was based in part on the first edition of his book. He is a frequent speaker at Civil War Roundtables.

Customer Reviews

Would I have gotten into the "Murder Machine"?
It's hard to say. Especially since the term referred to the Hunley murdering its Confederate crews.

An excellent book, in its coverage of the remnants of myth and truth about the the Confederacy's "underwater torpedo boats". I recently became aware of a Confederate submarine (not covered in the book), that is currently being conserved by the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans, and is due to be on permanent display in the museum in Baton Rouge, sometime in late 2002. It's origin is not known to this day, however, it predated the Pioneer I, the American Diver (Pioneer II), and the Hunley. It appears all four subs were designed in Louisiana, but the American Diver and Hunley were built in Mobile.

The book tells the true story of the development and lineage of the Hunley. However, now that the Hunley is being conserved ( with a guesstimation of about 10 more years), many of the technical aspects are being found to be inaccurate, in the light of the daily discoveries during conservation.

I recently viewed the Hunley movie prop ship, touring in South Carolina (see the Hunley website for details), that was built for the Turner movie "The Hunley". The rudder mechanism, and prop drive train has been found to be different, and all of the exterior rivets were ground smooth (as spec'd for the Pioneer I, which is covered in the book).

The crews have been referred to as the Astronauts of the 1860's. The Hunley, and it's predecessors, are an incredible story in technology, and humanity. This book does tribute to its time in the history of this country.

The Source Book..on the C.S.S. Hunley
This book is a must have for the Hunley addict. It is obvious Mark Ragan did his homework on this book. It contains a great deal of information on the contruction of the first successful submarine and the mishaps that plagued it. The photos and illustrations are great and many I have not seen before. You really get the feeling of the importance of this vessel and the dedication of the crew and the designers of the submarine. It is a shame this book has had very limited availability.It should be of great interest to anyone who has been following the recovery and preservation of this unique ship.

A "gotta have" for every Hunley freak
Have read everything I could lay my hands on about the Hunley and nothing could satisfy my craving for detail and plauseable speculation until this came along. Admitedly many of our unanswered questions will remain so. Others will yield to the scrutiny of scientists and historians in a Charleston Lab. Until then, we have this gem! Ragan is a relentless detective and goes peering into nook and cranny. Which of the two versions of the first sinking at the Johnson Island dock is the more credible? Its in here. What was a German artilleryman doing inside a sub and how did he get there? Its in here. Any leads on other previously unidentified sailors? Thats in here too! Dixon becomes more alive than ever and more than fulfills the almost mythic image of the Confederate hero. Chocked full of interesting and previously unpublished documents and photographs, this is THE authoritative account.