A project of the magnitude of the H. L. Hunley
recovery could not have been conducted without the
dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm of many people.
These included military and civilians, scientists and
engineers, corporations, small business owners, financiers,
and politicians. Recovery could not have been
accomplished without the strong political support from
federal, state, and local governments. The public-private
partnership established between the South Carolina
Hunley Commission (SCHC), Friends of the Hunley
(FOTH), and Naval Historical Center (now Naval History
and Heritage Command) made the project a success.
Donations of services, manpower, equipment, and
funds all contributed to the successful recovery of the
Civil War submarine H. L. Hunley. A debt of gratitude is
owed to everyone who participated in person or in spirit
in this effort. A listing of project personnel is provided in
Appendix B and the companies who provided essential
services in Appendix C.
Major funding for the planning phase, $200K, as
well as $2 million for the recovery was provided through
the Department of Defense (DOD) Legacy Resources
Management Program. This federal program was established
in 1990 by Congress to assist the DOD and military
services in preserving both natural and cultural heritage
resources under DOD jurisdiction. The program also
funded post-recovery conservation efforts to preserve
the historic vessel, totaling $3 million over five years.
The State of South Carolina provided $1 million to the
recovery effort as well as $2 million for renovation of a
former Navy warehouse at the former Charleston Naval
Shipyard. Recovery would not have happened without
having a dedicated conservation facility ready to receive
the submarine. The Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment
Authority generously leased the building for a
nominal $1 a year for eight years and later included a
five-year extension of this agreement and the donation
of a former base house that was used as temporary
housing for students, interns, and visiting scientists to
assist with the project, and in the case of the former, to
obtain training and professional work experience.
The project could not have happened without the
commitment of two key individuals, Warren Lasch,
Chairman of the FOTH and the Honorable Glenn
McConnell, South Carolina State Senator and Chairman
of the SCHC and later Lt. Governor of South Carolina.
Both men provided outstanding leadership and organizational
skill, as well as committing large segments of
their time. Chairman Lasch not only gave freely of his
time but also assisted in financing the project through
personal donations and a bank loan that ensured
project expenses could be covered. Other Hunley Commission
members during the time of recovery include
Chris Sullivan (Vice-Chair), South Carolina state senators
John Courson and Ernie Passailaigue, state representatives
Rick Quinn, Harry Hallman Jr., and Chip Limehouse,
businessman Randy Burbage, and Rear Admiral William
Schachte, USN (Ret).
recovery could not have been conducted without the
dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm of many people.
These included military and civilians, scientists and
engineers, corporations, small business owners, financiers,
and politicians. Recovery could not have been
accomplished without the strong political support from
federal, state, and local governments. The public-private
partnership established between the South Carolina
Hunley Commission (SCHC), Friends of the Hunley
(FOTH), and Naval Historical Center (now Naval History
and Heritage Command) made the project a success.
Donations of services, manpower, equipment, and
funds all contributed to the successful recovery of the
Civil War submarine H. L. Hunley. A debt of gratitude is
owed to everyone who participated in person or in spirit
in this effort. A listing of project personnel is provided in
Appendix B and the companies who provided essential
services in Appendix C.
Major funding for the planning phase, $200K, as
well as $2 million for the recovery was provided through
the Department of Defense (DOD) Legacy Resources
Management Program. This federal program was established
in 1990 by Congress to assist the DOD and military
services in preserving both natural and cultural heritage
resources under DOD jurisdiction. The program also
funded post-recovery conservation efforts to preserve
the historic vessel, totaling $3 million over five years.
The State of South Carolina provided $1 million to the
recovery effort as well as $2 million for renovation of a
former Navy warehouse at the former Charleston Naval
Shipyard. Recovery would not have happened without
having a dedicated conservation facility ready to receive
the submarine. The Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment
Authority generously leased the building for a
nominal $1 a year for eight years and later included a
five-year extension of this agreement and the donation
of a former base house that was used as temporary
housing for students, interns, and visiting scientists to
assist with the project, and in the case of the former, to
obtain training and professional work experience.
The project could not have happened without the
commitment of two key individuals, Warren Lasch,
Chairman of the FOTH and the Honorable Glenn
McConnell, South Carolina State Senator and Chairman
of the SCHC and later Lt. Governor of South Carolina.
Both men provided outstanding leadership and organizational
skill, as well as committing large segments of
their time. Chairman Lasch not only gave freely of his
time but also assisted in financing the project through
personal donations and a bank loan that ensured
project expenses could be covered. Other Hunley Commission
members during the time of recovery include
Chris Sullivan (Vice-Chair), South Carolina state senators
John Courson and Ernie Passailaigue, state representatives
Rick Quinn, Harry Hallman Jr., and Chip Limehouse,
businessman Randy Burbage, and Rear Admiral William
Schachte, USN (Ret).
