H.L. Hunley: Knife, field glasses and other items belonging to submarine's commander are on display at conservation center

Field glass before and after conservation (Courtesy Friends of the Hunley)

The third and final skipper of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley was second to none when it came to stylishness. Capt. George E. Dixon wore a cashmere suit and brought along a gold coin and jewelry on the February 1864 voyage that made history.

Some of the other conserved items belonging to the dapper Dixon – such as a knife and binoculars -- have been on special display since Thanksgiving at the home of the Hunley -- the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, S.C.

“This is the first time (Dixon) artifacts other than the gold coin and jewelry have been displayed,” said Kellen Butler, executive director of the Friends of the Hunley, who support ongoing conservation efforts on the vessel and thousands of crew artifacts found inside. The coin and jewelry are in a separate case and have been displayed for many years.

“The reception has been very positive,” Butler told the Picket this week of the “War & Wardrobe” exhibit case. “Visitors are excited to see personal artifacts of a Hunley crew member.”

On Feb. 17, 1864, H.L. Hunley made history by becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy warship. The 40-foot iron vessel -- bullets pinging off its iron exterior -- planted a torpedo in the hull of the Union ship USS Housatonic in Charleston Harbor, setting off a charge that sent the Federal vessel and five crew members to the sandy bottom within minutes.

But Dixon and seven volunteers on the Hunley also perished. The Hunley was recovered in 2000 and the remains of the crew were buried in 2004.

Dixon carried this knife on mission (Courtesy Friends of the Hunley)

Dixon-associated items in the revolving exhibit are the field glasses, an antler and silver pocketknife, silver suspender buckles and loops, copper alloy suspender buttons, copper vest and trousers buckles, decorative buttons and metal alloy coat buttons likely fabric covered at the time.

“Like his gold watch’s fob and life-saving coin, he had (the suspenders) engraved with his initials. He was the only one of the eight-man crew who had any items engraved, perhaps indicating he was proud of his name and wanted to be remembered,” the Friends group says.

Dixon’s 4-inch wide field glasses are among items that underwent extensive conservation and must be checked often so that they do not degrade while on exhibit. “The exhibit case is constantly monitored for humidity and any changes,” said Butler.

Suspender loops were found by conservators (Courtesy Friends of the Hunley)

According to the Friends group, historical accounts say Dixon would lie on the beach and use the field glasses and use them to survey the Union blockade and select the best target.

“While commanding the submarine, he likely opened the forward hatch periodically to give the crew fresh air. Dixon no doubt took this opportunity to stick his head out and use the binoculars to help gain his bearings. The binoculars were partially disassembled for conservation, and the result is a beautiful example of the capabilities of conservation science.”

The conservation team may eventually add another display to include leather objects and other fragile pieces, the Post and Courier reported in November.

The $20 gold coin is the most famous Dixon item from the mission. Dixon carried the disfigured item, which absorbed a bullet during the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 and saved his leg. “My life Preserver” was engraved on one side of the coin.