Salvaging another Civil War submarine

A maritime archaeologist hopes the technology used to restore the Hunley submarine can be used to preserve another Civil-War era sub now resting on a deserted island near Panama.

James Delgado, executive director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, has identified the wreck as the Explorer, a submersible built in New York in the waning days of the Civil War. . .

"It is an interesting parallel story to the Hunley," said Maria Jacobsen, senior archaeologist for the Hunley project. "It furthers our understanding of the evolution of diving technology. But they are two different things. The Explorer is an evolved concept of a dive bell, while the Hunley is a highly maneuverable, hydrodynamic stealth boat. In its case, it is the weapon". . .

The future of the Explorer is uncertain. Exposed to the air, sea, and intrepid tourists, its hull is deteriorating badly, and it has apparently fallen victim to looters - the propeller and conning tower hatch are missing.

Posted by David on October 31, 2004 9:18 PM