Lizzy’s Latest – Happy Valentine’s Day 2022! H.L. Hunley: My Life Preserver

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First Corinthians, 13-13:  So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

George E. Dixon was a handsome and wealthy young man working in Mobile, AL by the start of the Civil War in 1861.  One day, a Southern bell named, Queenie Bennett, caught his eye.  Dixon made his affections known to her and when Queenie drew her handkerchief across her lips and looked at him with desire, Dixon knew she was smitten with him too.  The warmth of young love filled their hearts and the two began a courtship that would become the stuff of legends.

Queenie Bennett. Pic credit here

George Dixon. Photo credit here

 

 

As their love flourished, Dixon’s patriotism galvanized him to enlist in the Confederate Army later that year.  He was assigned to the 21st Alabama Infantry and in March 1862, Dixon and Queenie faced separation.  His regiment would soon engage the Yankees at the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee.  On their last evening together, with tears in her eyes and an unnatural sadness enveloping her heart, Queenie gave Dixon a twenty dollar gold coin to remind him of her love.  She whispered to him, “Darling hold this keepsake close, to remember my love and bring you good luck.”  Dixon, a sentimental man, was touched by her act of love.  Quite emotional himself, Dixon embraced Queenie and kissed her with a fervor that would last until his return.  He promised to be cautious and placed the gold coin in his left trouser pocket.  Dixon gave Queenie one last look before departing.

A month later, Dixon and his regiment were engaged in intense fighting at the Battle of Shiloh.  On April 6, 1862, a minie ball struck Dixon on his upper left thigh.  Miraculously, as the story goes, the bullet hit the gold coin and absorbed the impact.  Dixon’s leg was saved and so was his life, but not without consequence.  Dixon’s femur was permanently injured causing him to limp the rest of his life.  He returned to Mobile to Queenie’s relief and was assigned to garrison duty.

Desiring to do more to help the South, Dixon got involved with men building an underwater vessel to get around the Union’s blockade at the port of Charleston, SC.  Their goal was to create an innovative way to disrupt and destroy the blockade.  Dixon, again, said farewell to his sweetheart, Queenie.  Sad, but hopeful, Queenie reminded him to keep the gold coin close.  He promised her he would, kissed her one last time, and began his journey to Charleston.    

In late 1863, the H. L. Hunley was finally completed and named after Horace Lawson Hunley, the submarine project’s benefactor, who perished in an earlier iteration of the underwater vessel.  This time, Dixon was confident they would be successful and on February 17, 1864, with calm seas, Dixon and his volunteer crew of seven set out to make history. 

As you can see the submarine was uncomfortable. The height of the ship’s hull was 4 feet 3 inches, so the men had to crouch. Photo credit here

The Hunley quietly made its way towards the USS Housatonic, a 1,240 long ton wooden-hulled steam sloop, just a few miles off the Charleston shore.  At 845PM, a lookout man on the Housatonic observed an object moving towards them on the ship’s starboard side. 

USS Housatonic. Photo credit here

Image of the Hunley with its spar torpedo that crashed into the Housatonic. Photo credit here

The Hunley was spotted!  Urgency on both sides ensued.  Dixon ordered his men to crank faster as they braced for impact.  Meanwhile, the crew of the Housatonic began firing at the Hunley, but it was too late.  The Hunley’s spar torpedo pierced through the Housatonic’s hull implanting the torpedo.  Dixon then ordered his men to crank away from the ship quickly!  When Dixon felt they were far enough away, he triggered the explosion!  The explosion was like “wood splashing into water” as one man on the Housatonic described it. 

The Hunley’s successful attack on the Housatonic. Photo credit here

Black smoke filled the air as the ship broke apart and began sinking.  Men plunged into the frigid water.  In less than five minutes the Housatonic was gone taking 5 unfortunate souls with her.  At the same time, Dixon and his crew achieved their goal that night and the CSS Hunley became the first combat submarine in world history to sink an enemy ship.

However, the excitement of success was tempered by a curious mystery.  The Hunley never returned to shore.  It vanished and despite continuous attempts to find her, the Hunley and her crew remained hidden.  Years passed and the Hunley’s legend grew blurring the line between reality and illusion.  Did that gold coin exist?!  I love a good mystery…especially when it’s solved. 

Well!  On May 3, 1995, the Hunley was FINALLY discovered about 4 miles off the coast of Sullivan’s Island.  After 131 years laying on the ocean floor, the Confederate submarine was in a very fragile state when it was found.  It took another 5 years before she could be safely raised on August 8, 2000.  The Hunley was carefully transported to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center where it remains today for conservation and excavation. 

 

There were 2 predecessors to the Hunley. The Pioneer which sunk on August 29, 1863. Five of the nine crewman died. The American Diver sunk on October 15, 1863. All 8 crewmen died including H.L. Hunley, the man who financed the submarine endeavors. Photo credit here

 

Hunley before pic.

A more recent pic of the Hunley shows how far the preservation and restoration have come. Photo credit here

All eight bodies were found at their stations with no sign of trauma or panic.  It was as if they simply went to sleep.  There are several theories floating around.  Arguably the best theory today is that the Hunley was too close to the explosion (approximately 20 ft away).  Therefore, the jolt may have knocked the crew out and incapacitated them causing a “peaceful” death.  Check out other theories here.     

When Dixon was found, his left femur indeed had a healed gunshot wound and lead fragments were visible.  Among his belongings was the gold coin!!! 

Front side of coin. Photo credit here

Back side of gold coin: Shiloh / April 6th 1862 / My Life Preserver / G.E.D.  Photo credit here

Also, among Dixon’s possessions were a gold ring with 9 diamonds and a diamond brooch.  See them here!  It is speculated Dixon planned to propose and then marry Queenie after the war.  This discovery lends credence to that theory. 

I can’t imagine Queenie’s heartbreak when her darling Dixon never returned.  Yet, I’d like to imagine had she been alive today to see Dixon’s body recovered and with those tokens of his affections for her, I would like to believe her heart would be filled with joy and peace because love endures and transcends time.  At least that’s how I would feel because I’m a nostalgic romantic at heart.  😊 

Happy ❤️ Valentine’s Day ❤️, my lovelies!  Hope your day is filled with love, happiness, and dark chocolate!  

If you’re in Charleston, SC and/or visiting, check out the Hunley in person.  I’ve been there a couple times and it’s a great tour.  Tours occur on the weekends as archaeologists and researchers work on the Hunley during the week.  Info can be found here. 

Lizzy’s Latest is featuring the Vince Camuto Elisen buckle lug sole booties.  I will review the boots in the next week or two.  For now, enjoy the pics.   

Style with a Smile!

XoXo

Lizzy    

Author’s Note:  Little is known about the relationship between Dixon and Queenie.  As such, I’ve taken some artistic liberty in the couple’s interactions in this post.