onvergence of Valor
The Men of the H L Hunley
C
Eight courageous men from different backgrounds converged in
December 1863 in Charleston, SC. Most people know about Lt.
George DIxon, First officer Joseph Ridgaway, and James A. Wicks.
Even the lesser known sailors, Frank Collins, Arnold Becker, and
JF Carlsen had some documented background prior to the historic
mission. But Lumpkin and Miller remain as mysterious today as the
final fate of the Hunley itself.
The sailor identified as Miller presented a very interesting subject. forensic
evidence indicated that he was European, and had not been in the States for more
than a year or two. The haunting facial reconstructions along with this mystery of
Miller's past, and the rumor that a spy was on board the Hunley , sparked the idea
for Miller being that spy, but from the European spy network of Otto von Bismarck
instead of the North.
But Why fiction? There are several excellent references out that provide
technical information about the Hunley . These references are listed at the back of
Convergence and links provided below if you would like to purchase these books.
What was missing was each sailor's story - what was in the mind of each of the
sailors as they worked through the stages needed to prepare themselves for a
final eternal voyage. The facts presented in Convergence are correct. It was the
thoughts and interactions between the men which forced this work to be fiction.
This was my enjoyment - weaving a story from the sailor's point of view and
dedicating it to their memory.
