Entry No. 6 — the Charleston file — filed under: submarine

H.L. Hunley Submarine (Warren Lasch Conservation Center)

The world's first successful combat submarine sank three times and killed its own inventor before it vanished for over a century off Sullivan's Island; it now sits suspended in a 75,000-gallon freshwater tank while conservators fight to stop 19th-century iron from dissolving. Crew commander Lt. George Dixon carried a $20 gold coin that had already stopped a bullet at Shiloh — it was found bent in his pocket, right where the shot had struck. Open weekends only (Sat and Sun).

The move: Book the weekend-only tour, watch conservators work through the lab glass on the actual hull, then study the facial reconstructions of the eight-man crew and argue over who found the wreck first — there are two competing discovery claims.

• 📍 North Charleston
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1250 Supply Street, North Charleston, SC 29405

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-20