“In the Waves: My Quest to Solve the Mystery of a Civil War Submarine”

The Hagley Museum & Library presents its next Hagley History Hangout: a talk with author Rachel Lance.

IN THE WAVES: MY QUEST TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF A CIVIL WAR SUBMARINE

Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. EST

THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN-PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED ON HAGLEY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Rachel Lance will speak about her successful detective work uncovering the story behind the sinking of the Confederate submarine the HL Hunley.  Deployed in the 1864 battle of Charleston harbor, the HL Hunley sank the USS Housatonic before it disappeared as well, killing its crew and leaving no visible wreckage. The mystery of the submarine’s demise remained a source of speculation for over 100 years, and only deepened in 1975 when it was finally raised from the harbor’s floor. The craft’s metal hull showed no indication that it had been breached. Additionally, all eight men were still seated at their stations—frozen in time after more than a century. Why did it sink? Why did the men die without any sign they had sought to exit?

Encountering this puzzle while in graduate school at Duke University, Lance became obsessed with understanding what happened. Her interest and training led her to the Hagley archives to learn more about black powder, the explosive used by the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. Drawing on Hagley’s holdings on black powder, and studies from the Civil War era on its blast properties, allowed Lance to unravel the mystery of why the submarine sank and why its sailors died in their chairs. 
 
In the Waves  is much more than just a military perspective or a technical account. It’s also the story of Rachel Lance’s single-minded obsession spanning three years, the story of the extreme highs and lows in her quest to find all the puzzle pieces of the Hunley. Balancing a gripping historical tale and original research with a personal story of professional and private obstacles, In the Waves is an enthralling look at a unique part of the Civil War and the lengths one scientist will go to uncover its secrets. 

Rachel Lance is a biomedical engineer and blast-injury specialist who works as a scientific researcher on military diving projects at Duke University. Before returning to graduate school to earn her PhD, Dr. Lance spent several years as an engineer for the United States Navy, working to build specialized underwater equipment for use by navy divers, SEALs, and Marine Force Reconnaissance personnel.  

Lance’s talk will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in Hagley’s Soda House building. The talk will be followed by an opportunity for audience discussion and purchases of Lance’s book. Light refreshments will be provided. The event will end by 8:15 p.m. 

The event will take place in-person at the Hagley Library & Museum Soda House:

298 Buck Road

Wilmington, DE 19807

Use Hagley’s Buck Road East entrance off Route 100 in Wilmington, Delaware. Advance registration is free but required; proof of registration may be needed to enter event. Registration for Rachel Lance’s author talk is exclusively through Eventbrite at this link.

This event will also be livestreamed on the Hagley’s YouTube channel.