April 14: CIVIL WAR MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE

CIVIL WAR MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE

H.L. Hunley and the USS Monitor.

For the first time ever in Columbia, the public is invited to hear underwater archaeologists talk about the two most important Civil War era maritime archaeology endeavors--- the H.L. Hunley and USS Monitor projects.

As part of the Annual Conference on South Carolina Archaeology, a special session for all ages has been designed for the non-professional public audience on Saturday afternoon April 14, 2012 in the Belk Auditorium in the Darla Moore Business Administration building at USC Columbia.

The Confederate H.L. Hunley attacked the blockade ship the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864 near Charleston Harbor and was recovered as the world watched live on TV in August of 2000. The USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy during the American Civil War and on March 9, 1862, participated in first-ever battle fought between two ironclads. The Monitor fought the former frigate the USS Merrimack. The USS Monitor was recovered by underwater archaeologists in August of 2002 near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Since the archaeological recovery of both vessels, fascinating and cutting edge research has shed light on these events and those involved. Those arriving at 3 pm for the Maritime Archaeology session will only pay the special price of $5.00 (half the price of conference admission) to hear seven lectures including three on these unique Civil War iron made vessels. More information can be found at here.