A Piece of Charleston History Pulled From The Ocean Dating Back To The Civil War

The Hunley preserved in the tank

Many years ago in my mischievous youth, we would impale these onto our bicycle spokes with a clothes pin. The idea behind this peculiar behavior was to make our bikes sound like they were motorized. The louder, the better, so more than one was often employed to achieve the desired effect. The bubble gum that accompanied these, shaped into sugar coated thin squares, was the first thing pulled from the wrapping and while chewing it to a consistency necessary to blow into balloon shapes, we would quickly shuffle through the rest of the contents with hopes of acquiring the one cherished piece that would make you the envy of your peers. Doubles were inevitable and often became the fodder for the aforementioned practice.

It appears the practice has become extinct. I haven't observed any kids riding around the neighborhood these days with this item flapping on their spokes. Children today are too technically sophisticated for such simple minded inventions and collecting apps is the more desired preoccupation of the young. Come to think of it, clothes pins are a rather rare commodity themselves. As for the item, I don't even know if they sell them anymore. Enthusiasts of this forgotten custom of a bygone era who have them in their possession today, whether by accident or design, benefit greatly. Quite simply put, I speak of baseball cards.

Baseball card collecting was popular in those early years, but something else became available in the form of collectible cards during the 1960's. Collectible cards portraying the American Civil War were printed and sold. Each card depicted a notable battle or person that was involved in this conflict that split the United States in two. Some of the more significant events I remember from those cards was the shelling of Fort Sumter, the Battle of Bull Run, the encounter between the Monitor and the Merrimack, Stonewall Jackson being shot by his own troops, the Battle of Gettysburg, and Robert E. Lee surrendering at Appomattox, to name a few. Since I also liked to draw, I often carefully recopied battle scenes on paper with pencil and crayon. Those cards were the spark that lit the fire of my interest in wanting to learn more about that part of history. 

I am from Northeastern Ohio, and in that part of the U.S. you are far removed from the many notable places and events of the Civil War, but here in the South, in Charleston, you are in the heart of it all. It is tightly weaved into the very fabric of Charleston's identity and for visitors it is inescapable, both by land and water. The Spiritline Cruises in Charleston Harbor shuttles people back and forth on a daily basis to the place where it all started, Fort Sumter. The guides on one of the numerous historic carriage rides seen crisscrossing the historic district are dressed in Confederate uniforms. You can get up close and personal by physically touching the iron mortars and cannon at Fort Moultrie or White Point Gardens that were used to bombard Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861.

A replica of the interior

One notable event I do not recall seeing on those cards was the infamous sinking of the USS Housatonic just outside of Charleston Harbor by the Hunley in 1864. In fact, my first exposure to the story of the Hunley was by way of a movie and then in more detail, when I moved to Charleston. Most likely, there are quite a few people in this country who don't know the Hunley exists or its story. For those who don't, the Hunley was the first successful combat submarine. Successful, meaning the Confederate submarine accomplished its one and only mission. It didn't successfully return to port. The Hunley disappeared under the waters off of Sullivan's Island and for 136 years its fate remained a mystery.


The Hunley crew crossed a foot bridge connecting Mt. Pleasant to Sullivan's
Island at this location in 1864. It became the Pitt Street Bridge, now known as Pickett Bridge.

Its final resting place was discovered and in 2000 the Hunley was carefully and meticulously raised, still in tack, from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are theories as to what happened to the Hunley, but no one really knows for sure what caused its demise. Scientists have been puzzling over the remains of the Hunley since its recovery, searching for clues that will assist them with providing a feasible hypothesis.

You can view the Hunley and the artifacts uncovered with it at its own museum where it is displayed in a 90,000 gallon conservation tank. Museum location is the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, 1250 Supply Street (on the old Charleston Navy Base), North Charleston, South Carolina. A startling discovery was made in 2002 while researching the interior of the sub that confirmed a long held legend. For the complete story of this find and tour information go to Friends of the Hunley.

Fishing For The Ultimate Catch Both Fresh and Saltwater-Ohio and Charleston

The digital clock just flipped to 5:00 AM. I was already awake due to anticipation. I got dressed in the usual attire for what I was about to embark on and grabbed an old pair of tennis shoes. I gathered up my fishing gear, which consisted of a sturdy rod, a silver spoon with a purple twister tail, pliers, and some backup bait. It was still dark, with a hint of light beginning to filter through the trees, when I hopped into my pickup.

It was a short drive to my favorite part of the river. My pulse quickened as my anticipation peaked now that I was nearing the final destination. I flipped off my shoes and slipped on the old pair. Gear now flung over my shoulder, pliers in my pocket, I breathed in the rivers scent and was ready to push on. I had to cross a smaller creek to get over to the main body. The rapidly surging waters cooled my feet as I stepped across the river rock and shale. Small bass scurried away, but they had nothing to fear from me. I was in search of a more fearful predator.

I climbed over some old tree trunks of fallen giant maples. Previous storms or even old age had done its handiwork, but circumnavigating the rugged terrain was part of the excitement. The river was now in view. The river mist created by slightly warmer waters than the morning air was kissing the surface of the slow moving currents. This was a deeper section of the Grand River in Northern Ohio. It had to be to accomadate the most highly prized fresh water fish of the North. I ducked under branches and forced my way throw the thick foilage a few hundred more feet and stepped into the water with my already soaked old pair of tennis shoes. It was a required part of the attire to avoid picking up leaches along the mucky banks. I waded through the waist high water to an island. I stepped onto its shores. It was a strategic location, ripe for an ambush by the raveness nemisis that prowled its bank and shoals.

My cast hit the river's surface. The first splash was in the books. Above me circled a hawk. Peering over my shoulder to where the waters were shallower down river, a group of dear were lazily making their way across, keeping a wary eye on me at the same time. My second cast hit the water and immediately the line went taunt. You have to be careful of what you did next because the numerous submerged rocks could play you a fool. I returned the rod tip with equal force. A few seconds later the waters swurled violently and the king of the river exited into the air. The battle of wits was on. Days before this I had lost a trophy after it had bitten through my line, so played this one carefully. The 40 inch muskie broke the surface several more times before he surrendered to my will twenty minutes later. I carefully dislodged the bent up hooks, calculated its size, and sent the vanquished ruler on his way. I took a deep breath of satisfaction and watched the proud monarch of the river disappear.

That was a magical year, one of my best fishing experiences. All in all I caught seven muskies in and around the same location in a two month period. One thing I learned that year while fishing that part of the river, when the muskies are prominent the small mouth are nowhere to be found. Years have passed since then and I now live in South Carolina, but when I return to Ohio, visiting family and friends, I make every effort to return to my favorite fishing hole.
  
Charleston doesn't have muskie or pike, both prized catches of the North, but it does have great fishing of another kind, salt water fishing, and size has no limits, meaning bigger fish, depending on what you are going after. The prized catch of the inner coastal waters around Charleston is the spottail bass. Of Course, to catch them, you need a boat or a good friend with a boat. If you are looking for a less expensive mode of transportation, kayak fishing is becoming quite popular. This type of fishing takes alittle getting use to, but it pays off both in expense and excitement. If you want to learn more about kayak fishing you can read this article in the Azalea Magazine. A great way to fly fish.

The other way to chase the spottails is by a fishing charter. Finding a charter with a experienced guide is important. A charter I went on while vacationing in the Charleston area didn't catch a single thing all morning, not even one hit. The guide couldn't even catch a shark in the Charleston Bay. Needless to say, we were not happy anglers. One suggestion for a dependable charter is Benford Fishing Charters. The operator is a new captain, but very knowledgeable of Charleston waters. Captain Marvie Benford specializes in shallow water light tackle fishing, and also offshore, harbor tours and cruises. Call or email (benfordfishingcharters@hotmail.com) for pricing and trip details-(843 729 8079) or email me at vacationrick@hotmail.com.

To Cruise Or Not To Cruise-Carnival's Fantasy And Charleston Unite

Would you go on a cruise ship that holds over 6,000 passengers? Wow, that is alot of people in a confined space of 1184 feet and sixteen decks. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship of gargantuan proportions featuring seven distinct nieghborhoods and departs out of Fort Lauderdale. Yes, you heard it right, neighborhoods. Sounds like living in the burbs. The Allure of the Sea, its sister ship, will debut in 2010 with a capacity of over 5,000.

Disney will be releasing into service in 2011 its third ship called The Dream that will accommodate over 4,000 passengers departing out of Port Canaveral. It will feature the first water coaster at sea, called "The Aquaduck" and will have a 9 hole mini-golf course. The adult-only Quiet Cove Pool will include a swim up bar and a series of connecting pools with hot tubs for adults & families. Has your interest peaked with those little or should I say huge tidbits of information?

I have been on cruises with over 2,000 passengers and crowds have never been a problem until the last day when you are departing the ship, but over 6,000 passengers? Although, considering I have been to some sporting events with 60,000 to 70,000 spectators, 6,000 or 4,000 doesn't sound like alot and again the crowds were no problem until exiting at the end.

However you may answer the proposed question at the beginning of this article many will say yes or cruise lines would not be building bigger ships. The fact of the matter is cruising has become very popular and Charleston is on the list of cruise ports.

Carnival's Fantasy has made Charleston its home and is now sailing year-round from our beautiful port offering a variety of 5 to 7 night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Fantasy has been fully refurbished and ships capacity is over 2,000. Quite modest in comparison to 6,000, but emphasis is still on non-stop fun and excitement. Check out Fantasy's itineraries with destinations including Freeport, Nassau, Grand Turk, and Carnival Cruise Lines' own private island paradise, Half Moon Cay. Take a 360 degree virtual tour of the ship.