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Friday March 27, 2009
Hunley replica on display for Civil War weekend
Hurricane officials expect 15,000 to attend the annual event
by From staff reports
HURRICANE, W.Va. -- Hurricane is preparing for its 12th annual Civil War Weekend with a full-size replica of the Confederate H. L. Hunley submarine, on display in West Virginia for the first time, as part of the attractions.
The free event, hosted by the First West Virginia Light Artillery group, B Battery, is scheduled for today through Sunday and is co-sponsored by the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Putnam County Parks and Recreation, the city of Hurricane and the Hurricane Woman's Club.
The event will take place at Valley Park off Great Teays Road in Hurricane.
The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy warship and has been the subject of numerous television specials including two by the National Geographic Society.
The Hunley replica is constructed so it is possible for people to climb into and experience its cabin first-hand.
The exhibit is 40 feet long. and the spare torpedo adds another 17 feet to the sub's length.
Helen Shinn of the convention and visitors bureau said that last year's Civil War Weekend event attracted thousands of visitors.
She said this year is expected to be even larger with the Hunley exhibit.
Considering turnout at other events where the replica has toured, Shinn said as many as 15,000 people are expected to attend this year.
Battle and tactical demonstrations based on the Kanawha Valley's Battle of Scary Creek, horse-drawn wagon rides, sutler shops, concessions, tours of the Hunley and campsites as well as a military ball and ladies tea are just some of the activities to be offered over the weekend.
President Abe Lincoln, portrayed by Fritz Klein of the Lincoln Institute for Education, Springfield, Ill., his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, played by Joyce Browning of Charleston, and other historical figures from that era will be on the grounds for photo opportunities and presentations.
Parking will be available at Hurricane High School with free shuttle buses running throughout the weekend.
Guests are encouraged to take the Teays Valley Exit 39 off Interstate 64 and head toward the Valley Park on W.Va. 34.
Those leaving the event should exit to the right out of the park heading towards the Hurricane Interstate 64 exit along W.Va. 34 (also called Teays Valley Road).
Considering turnout at other events where the replica has toured, Shinn said as many as 15,000 people are expected to attend this year.
Battle and tactical demonstrations based on the Kanawha Valley's Battle of Scary Creek, horse-drawn wagon rides, sutler shops, concessions, tours of the Hunley and campsites as well as a military ball and ladies tea are just some of the activities to be offered over the weekend.
President Abe Lincoln, portrayed by Fritz Klein of the Lincoln Institute for Education, Springfield, Ill., his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, played by Joyce Browning of Charleston, and other historical figures from that era will be on the grounds for photo opportunities and presentations.
Parking will be available at Hurricane High School with free shuttle buses running throughout the weekend.
Guests are encouraged to take the Teays Valley Exit 39 off Interstate 64 and head toward the Valley Park on W.Va. 34.
Those leaving the event should exit to the right out of the park heading towards the Hurricane Interstate 64 exit along W.Va. 34 (also called Teays Valley Road).
For more information, call 304-562-0518, ext. 3 or 4
another article with four additonal, different photos.
Confederate sub makes local port call
CSS Hunley replica on display in Hurricane
Visitors to the Putnam County Civil War Weekend can get a glimpse of one of the nation's oldest naval mysteries starting today.
By Veronica Nett
Staff writer
Civil War Weekend Schedule
HURRICANE, W.Va. - Visitors to the Putnam County Civil War Weekend can get a glimpse of one of the nation's oldest naval mysteries starting today.
The H.L. Hunley Mobile Exhibit, starring a 5,000-pound Civil War submarine replica, will be on display at Valley Park in Hurricane today through Sunday.
The CSS H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine, was the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship. The hand-cranked sub, powered by an eight-man crew, rammed a spar torpedo containing black powder into the Union warship USS Housatonic in 1864 off the coast of Charleston, S.C.
After its historic mission, though, the sub and its crew vanished. The Hunley was never seen again until its discovery in 1995, in 35 feet of water and 4.5 miles off the coast of Charleston. The sub and its crew were brought back to the surface in 2000.
"It weighed 20 tons when they pulled it out, and we took 10 tons of mud out of it," said John Dangerfield, who was part of the crew that opened the real Hunley in 2000. Now he travels the country with a full-size replica of the submarine.
Dangerfield, from Charleston, S.C., began touring with the replica in 2004. He's taken the submarine across the nation, including five trips to California.
"This is my first time to West Virginia," he said Thursday afternoon, "but it's not going to be my last."
He's been to military schools, public and private schools, Civil War re-enactments and, once, to a motorcycle rally.
"I always have some adult come up and ask me, 'Where's lunch?'" he said. "They think it's a barbecue."
Dangerfield knows nearly every nuance about the Hunley and the history of the men who powered it.
"It never fails]veroni...@wvgazette.com[/url] or 304-348-5113.