Conservation of H.L. Hunley topic of weekly series

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The restoration and future of the H.L. Hunley submarine will be the topic of a weekly Lunch and Learn series at the S.C. Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.

On Oct. 25 at noon, Johanna Rivera, senior conservator and collections manager at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, will discuss the conservation of the sub. The Hunley became the first sub to sink an opposing warship in battle in 1864, but sank soon thereafter, killing all eight crew members.

The sub, found about 4 miles off the coast of Sullivan's Island, was raised in 2000, and researchers began stripping away the sand, sediment and shells that encased the vessel.

As the restoration nears completion, Rivera will answer questions about that process, as well as about what’s next for the Hunley in a presentation titled “Revealing the H.L. Hunley: Conservation and Deconcretion Process of the Civil War Submarine.”

Deconcretion is the technical term for removing concrete-like layers of marine sediment.

The Hunley has been submerged in a sodium hydroxide solution during its restoration. During the deconcretion work, its tank was drained three times a week. Conservators, clad in protective gear including jumpsuits, face masks and goggles, then removed debris using small hand tools, pneumatic chisels and hammers.

The Hunley’s hull is now fully revealed, according to a news release, with most of concretion removed by the end of last year. Small patches still cling to the sub’s ballast tanks.

“Now we are trying to remove as many salts, which were absorbed into the hull while it was under water, as possible,” Rivera said in the release.

Conservators are also examining personal artifacts such as shoes and textiles to learn more about the Hunley’s crew.

The Lunch and Learn series is free and open to the public. The museum is at 301 Gervais St., in the same building as the S.C. State Museum.