Burial Of Last H.L. Hunley Crew Is April 17
in Charleston
By Kathryn Jorgensen
April 2004
CHARLESTON, S.C. - What could be the last
Confederate burial of the Civil War will take place in Charleston
on April 17, when the eight men who died in the H.L. Hunley are
laid to rest.
"We will have [future] reinterments," says funeral
committee member Kay Long. "This is the actual Christian burial for these
men."
The Hunley Commission and its funeral committee, the group that
organized the first Hunley crew funeral in 1990, started planning
a year ago for the burial that has captured the world's attention.
The eight men to be buried volunteered, despite two previous
sinkings and crew deaths, to venture out into Charleston Harbor where,
on the night of Feb. 17, 1864, the Hunley became the first submarine
to successfully sink an enemy ship, the U.S.S. Housatonic.
More than 3,000 people had registered by mid-March to take part
in the funeral procession. Media from around the world were being
credentialed, video and photography pools were being arranged,
press conferences scheduled, all hotel rooms were taken and everyone
was gearing up for what Long says "has turned into just an
enormous occasion."
"The general public and the press have taken an enormous
interest in this not only because of the Civil War aspect of it, but the
entire maritime history," she says.
Long adds: "We want everyone to keep in mind that this
is a funeral for these brave crewmembers and it will be conducted with dignity
and honor that they so richly deserve. That is first and foremost
in the minds of the Hunley Funeral Committee and Hunley Commission
members."
The Crew, Memorials
The crew who went down with the Hunley were:
Lt. George Dixon of Alabama, Seaman Arnold Becker, Quartermaster
C. Simpkins, Seaman Frank G. Collins of Virginia, Cpl. J.F. Carlson,
Pvt. J. Miller of Georgia, Boatswain's Mate James A. Wicks of
North Carolina and Quartermaster Joseph Ridgaway of Maryland.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans in Alabama, Maryland, North
Carolina and Virginia are conducting memorial services during March for
the crewmembers from their states.A container holding sediment that filled the Hunley when it
was raised has been offered for burial in those states.
Friends of the Hunley will be releasing the final facial reconstructions and personal histories of the crew the week
of the burial.
Kunstler's painting "The Final Mission," which depicts
crew faces that were conceptualized using forensic research conducted in
collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and Friends of
the Hunley, will be released April 17 (see CWN Feb./March issue).
Proceeds from 950 limited edition numbered prints bearing an
official Hunley seal and signed by the artist will go to support the
Hunley project. Kunstler will be at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center
on April 17 and 18.
The Funeral
The funeral procession will begin at White Point Gardens at
The Battery where eight hearses will deliver the caskets, carried
by retired submarine veterans.
The caskets will be placed on caissons after a 9:30 a.m. memorial
service. The procession will begin at 10:30 and arrive at Magnolia
Cemetery at 12:15. The funeral ceremony is scheduled at 1:30,
followed an hour later by the procession to the Hunley plot
where previous crewmembers are buried. A Masonic Last Rite ceremony
will be held for Lt. Dixon after the interment rites.
Fifty full-scale cannon will fire a salute. The first unit to
fire will be Freeman's Battery Forrest's Artillery Camp 1939, Sons
of Confederate Veterans. The battery will also carry one of the
caskets with remains with their horses, caisson and limber.
The battery will fire an original Confederate bronze 12 pdr.
field howitzer made in 1862 by the Quinby and Robinson Foundry of
Memphis, Tenn.
Cannon owner Riley Gunter of Savannah, Tenn., says, "It
is an honor for Freeman's Battery to be selected to fire the first salute
for the burial of the Hunley crew members." He will give a presentation
about the cannon the day before the funeral.
Registration deadline for funeral participants is April 1.
Requirements for dress, flags, weapons and impressions are given
at the funeral committee's Web site.
The funeral committee cannot accommodate flowers and wreaths
but would welcome donations to help defray funeral expenses. Checks
payable to the Hunley Commission may be sent to Kay Long, 1701
Carterett Ave., Charleston, SC 29407.
Funeral Week Events
Funeral week events begin on Monday, April 12, when the crew
remains, in eight caskets, will lie in state on board the USS Yorktown
aircraft carrier at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
in Mt. Pleasant from 6 to 10 p.m.Tuesday night, while the remains are on the Yorktown, a Lutheran
pastor will conduct a memorial service. The crew will lie in
state from 9 to 5 on Wednesday at John Wesley United Methodist Church
and on Thursday at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Friday they
will lie in state from 9 to 5 at Church of the Holy Communion.
Concerts, talks, living history presentations, memorial services,
exhibits, performances, and lantern tours are scheduled during
the week at venues in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant and at Fort Moultrie.
The events will end with a grand ball the night of the funeral.
The full list of the week's events is at www.hunley.org
and www.hunleyfuneral.org.
Registration and fees are required for some of the special events.
