I never realized exactly where the Hunley exploded the torpedo before. Reports say the explosion occurred just aft the mizzenmast on the starboard quarter. That would have to be about 1 or 2 points off the starboard quarter, or about the last 25 feet of the aft end of the ship. The two salvage reports describe a huge explosion according to the amount of damage. At the time of the attack the Housatonic was starting to back up, which may have put Hunley in its path or as the Hunley backed away the ship got closer. An explosion that big, surrounded by the iron parts of the thimble/barb, may have sent unintended shrapnel in the direction of the Hunley, something the History Channel experiments did not cover.

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First salvage divers report:

U.S. SCHOONER G. W. BLUNT,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., November 27, 1864.

SIR: After a careful examination of the wrecks of the sunken blockade runners and Housatonic, I have the honor to make the following
report:

I find that the wrecks of the blockade runners are so badly broken up as to be worthless. The Housatonic is very much worm-eaten, as I find from pieces which have been brought up. She is in an upright position; has settled in the sand about 5 feet, forming a bank of mud and sand around her bed; the mud has collected in her in small quantities. The cabin is completely demolished, as are also all the bulkheads abaft the mainmast; the coal is scattered about her lower decks in heaps, as well as muskets, small arms, and quantities of rubbish.

I tried to find the magazine, but the weather has been so unfavorable and the swell so great that it was not safe to keep a diver in the wreck. I took advantage of all the good weather that I had, and examined as much as was possible.

The propeller is in an upright position; the shaft appears to be broken. The rudderpost and rudder have been partly blown off; the upper parts of both are in their proper places, while the lower parts have been forced aft. The stern frame rests upon the rudderpost and propeller; any part of it can be easily slung with chain slings, and a
powerful steamer can detach each part.

I have also caused the bottom to be dragged for an area of 600 yards around the wreck, finding nothing of the torpedo boat. On the 24th the drag ropes caught something heavy (as I reported). On sending a diver down to examine it, proved to be a quantity of rubbish. The examination being completed, I could accomplish nothing further, unless it is the intention to raise the wreck or propeller, in which case it will be necessary to have more machinery.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. L. CHURCHILL,
Acting Volunteer lieutenant, Gommanding.

Rear-Admiral J. A. DAHLGREN,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

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David Upton