Confederate Submarine Update By Bruce Smith<o =""></o> <o =""></o> AP <st1:time minute="40" hour="21"></st1:time><st1:date year="2006" day="21" month="11">Nov 21, 2006</st1:date><o =""> </o><st1 =""><st1:city>NORTH CHARLESTON</st1:city>, <st1:state>S.C.</st1:state></st1> - In a year's time, scientists hope to solve the mystery of why the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sank, the chairman of the South Carolina Hunley Commission said Tuesday.<o =""></o> "Between the science of archaeology and the science of conservation in that laboratory, they will solve the ultimate mystery," state Sen. Glenn McConnell said after a commission meeting. "I think it's reasonable to say we're probably within a year of solving that."<o =""></o> The hand-cranked Hunley sank the Union blockade ship <st1 ="">Housatonic</st1> in 1864, becoming the first submarine in history to sink an enemy warship.<o =""></o> It was found 11 years ago and raised in 2000 from the <st1 ="">Atlantic</st1> and is in a conservation lab. But the vessel has been slow revealing its secrets.<o =""></o> Two theories for demise There are generally two theories why it sank shortly after sending the <st1 ="">Housatonic</st1> to the bottom. One is that it was damaged and took on water after the attack. The other is that the crew suffocated when they ran out of air.<o =""></o> Scientists are removing the sediment that hardened on the inside of the sub. Next spring, they will begin removing the hardened sediment from the hull.<o =""></o> "The exterior will be the real key to the thing," said Randy Burbage, a commission member. "You will be able to tell if another ship rammed it, which is a possibility, or if any other event may have happened."<o =""></o> McConnell said that includes the possibility the Hunley's hull may have been damaged by rifle fire or debris from the explosion on the <st1 ="">Housatonic</st1>. Removing the sediment from the inside will reveal the positions of valves used to run the pumps, which will provide a clue whether the sub was taking on water, McConnell said.<o =""></o> Another artifact will soon be displayed at the Hunley lab: a watch once owned by Queenie Bennett, the sweetheart of the sub's commander, Lt. George Dixon.<o =""></o> The watch, as ornate as one owned by Dixon and which was found on the sub four years ago, is inscribed with the words "Queenie Bennett Dec. 25, 1862."<o =""></o> It's not known whether the watch was a Christmas gift from <st1:city><st1 ="">Dixon</st1></st1:city>, "but we think that is the last Christmas he spent with her," Burbage said.<o =""></o><o =""></o><o =""></o> JT
