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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 24, 2002
H. 5026
Introduced by Reps. Campsen, Altman, Bingham, R. Brown, Chellis, Cooper, Dantzler, Fleming, Harrell, Limehouse, Merrill, Quinn, Scarborough, Simrill, G.M. Smith, Whatley and Whipper
S. Printed 4/24/02--H.
Read the first time April 4, 2002.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 5026) to request that the Department of Transportation name the bridge, currently under construction, that spans Breach Inlet between Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms in Charleston County on South Carolina, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
RONALD N. FLEMING for Committee.
TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THAT SPANS BREACH INLET BETWEEN SULLIVAN'S ISLAND AND THE ISLE OF PALMS IN CHARLESTON COUNTY ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 703 THE H. L. HUNLEY BRIDGE AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS, SO THAT AS THE PUBLIC PASSES, THEY WILL REMEMBER THE SUBMARINE, THE H.L. HUNLEY, AND THE NINE BRAVE CREW MEN WHO DIED ON BOARD.
Whereas, on February 17, 1864, The H.L. Hunley pushed off from Breach Inlet for its final assault on the Union gunship, U.S.S. Housatonic; and
Whereas, The H.L. Hunley was stationed in the protected waters behind Sullivan's Island under the protection of the Confederate Fort known as Battery Marshall, which was located at the northern end of Sullivan's Island right on Breach Inlet; and
Whereas, Breach Inlet is a narrow inlet that separates the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island and is two or three hundred yards wide at it narrowest point. There are often severe tidal currents through the inlet. The crew of the Hunley had to navigate and force their way through the currents of the inlet on their attempts to attack the federal fleet. This war vessel had no periscope, so it had to halt from time-to-time, for a member of the crew to open one of its ports and look out to see if it was still headed in the right direction; and
Whereas, the Hunley thrust a 135 pound torpedo into the stern of the Housatonic, retreated, and detonated the torpedo; and
Whereas, the Hunley accomplished the feat of sinking the Union Navy's largest warship, becoming the first submarine to sink a ship in battle; and
Whereas, a watchman on the shore saw the Hunley shine a blue light, signaling its victory and impending return; however, the submarine disappeared off the shore of Sullivan's Island and was never seen again; and
Whereas, the Hunley's location was a mystery for over one hundred thirty years, until it was discovered in 1995; and
Whereas, it is appropriate that the Department of Transportation name the bridge that spans Breach Inlet in honor and memory of The H.L. Hunley. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the bridge, currently under construction, that spans Breach Inlet between Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms in Charleston County on South Carolina Highway 703 The H.L. Hunley Bridge and install appropriate signs or markers, so that as the public passes, they will remember the submarine, The H.L. Hunley, and the nine brave crew men who died on board.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
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