The Sea Hunters : True Adventures with Famous Shipwrecks by Clive Cussler

Author:Clive Cussler
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Underwater archaeology, Transportation, Social Science, Sailing, Mystery & Detective, Maritime History, Sports & Recreation, General, Ships & Shipbuilding, Suspense, shipwrecks, Thrillers, WORLD, Fiction, Ships & Shipbuilding - Shipwrecks, Archaeology, History
ISBN: 9780743480697
Publisher: Pocket Star
Published: 2003-08-25T23:00:00+00:00

"Is anyone badly injured?" he called out.

"Simpkins was knocked senseless," reported Wicks.

"I think I broke my nose," said Collins.

"I'm missing a tooth," grunted Miller.

"What happened, lieutenant?" asked Wicks anxiously. "Did we get her?"

"Take a look through the rear view ports", replied Dixon, excitement replacing numbing shock. "We sank the damned Yankee."

The tension was suddenly released. Almost as if they were transformed into another life, each man shook off his lethargy and began cheering. After incredible adversity, they had put their lives on the line and won. Hunley had vindicated herself. She had finally accomplished what she had been designed to do.

"We're not out of the woods yet," cautioned Dixon. "Take up the crank. I want to put another three hundred Yards between us and Housatonic before the Union fleet is alerted to her sinking."

Their mood one of elation, seven of the crew propelled the craft as if their pain and fatigue did not exist. Simpkins began to come around, but he was too dazed to take up cranking duties. Dixon spun the wheel and steered a course eastward a quarter of a mile before he turned the bow toward Breech Inlet. Once he felt they were a Safe distance away, he ordered his crew to stop and rest.

"Three of you work in shifts to keep us in position until the tide turns, and we can head back to port. I'll crank for Simpkins until he comes back on keel."

"begging' the lieutenant's pardon," said Wicks. "But instead of going back to Battery Marshall, I say we head into Charleston and tell old General Beauregard what we done, personal like."

"I agree," Dixon said, smiling. "But that would mean going through half the Union fleet. Best we return through Breech Inlet and continue to Charleston through the back bay."

Taking turns rotating the propeller just enough to keep Hunley from being carried further out to sea until the tide turned, the men passed out the canteens of water and relaxed with a meal of turnips and dried beef.

Dixon and Wicks opened their hatch covers to let in fresh air.

Then Dixon stood, raised his arm through the hatch tower, and waved a blue light, the signal for sentries at Battery Marshall to light a bonfire as a beacon to guide Hunley home.

At 9:20 P.m on board the Union warship Canandaigua, Captain Joseph Green was called on deck by his watch officer, who reported a boat Pulling alongside. Green immediately made his way to the railing and shouted over the side. "What boat are you?"

"From the Housatonic, " answered Seaman Robert ]Fleming. "We

were sunk by a Rebel torpedo craft. What's left of our crew is clinging to the rigging."

Having heard no sound from an explosion, Green and his officers were surprised at the news. The captain immediately hoisted distress signals and sent up three rockets to alert the rest of the fleet. Then Canandaigua slipped her anchor chain and came directly to Housatonic's assistance. On the way, they picked up the second boat, with the unfortunate Captain Pickering on board.

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