CSS Hunley: "Captain Dixon and His Crew"
The following letter from M.M. Gray to Major General Maury appeared in The Charleston Mercury discussing the missing crew of the H.L. Hunley following the sinking of the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864.
CAPTAIN DIXON AND HIS CREW – It will be recollected that since the destruction of the Housatonic, nothing has been heard of Captain Dixon and his crew, by whom the gallant act was accomplished. The following letter on the subject is addressed to Major General Maury:
OFFICE SUBMARINE DEFENCE
Charleston, April 29, 1864
General:
The United States sloop of war Housatonic was attacked and destroyed by Lieutenant Dixon and crew on the night of the 17th February. Since that time no information has been received of either the boat or crew.
I am of he opinion that the torpedo being in placed at the bow of the boat, she went into the hole made in the Housatonic by explosion of torpedo, and did not have power sufficient to back out, consequently sank with her.
I have the honor to be, General,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
M.M. Gray
Captain in charge of Torpedoes.
To Maj. Gen. D.H. Maury, District of the Gulf,
Mobile, Ala.
Source:
Unknown. (1864, May 11). "Captain Dixon and His Crew." The Charleston Mercury, p. 2. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charleston-mercury/170067863/.
