ping. When
she was brought to the surface again. McKinley and a trained crew came
from Mobile, bringing with him Lieutenant Dixon, of the Twenty-first
Alabama Infantry, to fight the boat. He made repeated descents in the
harbour, diving under the receiving ship again and again successfully.
But one day, when Dixon was absent from the city, Mr. Hundley, wishing
to handle the boat himself, unfortunately made the attempt; it was
readily submerged but did not rise again and all on board perished, from
asphyxiation. When the boat was discovered, raised and opened the
spectacle was indescribably ghastly, the unfortunate men were contorted
into all kinds of attitudes horrible to see; some clutching candles,
evidently endeavouring to force open the manholes; others lying on the
bottom tightly grappled together; and the blackened faces of all
presented the expression of their agony and despair.

The "Hundley" had thus cost the lives of thirty-three brave men, but
nevertheless, there were still found volunteers to risk theirs for their
country--and Lieutenant Dixon found no difficulty in enlisting eight
more heroes to attack the Federal steam sloop of war, "Housatonic," a
powerful new vessel of eleven guns, lying on the north channel, opposite
Beach Inlet, off Charleston. General Beauregard had refused to let it be
used again, but Lieutenant Dixon, having undertaken to use the boat with
a spar torpedo in the same manner as the "David," consent was given and
preparations for the attack were again made.

Dixon was a Kentuckian and was moved by the highest principle and
patriotism in making this venture. He had taken an active part in the
construction of the vessel, and had caused other men to perish in her by
dangers he had not shared, now bravely demanded this opportunity. His
crew were Arnold Becker, C. Simpkins, James A. Wick, T. Collins and ----
Ridgeway, of the Navy, and Corporal J. F. Carlson, of the artillery. All
knew the fearful risk they ran--and all were willing to sacrifice their
lives for their country, counting the cost as nothing if thereby they
could procure the destruction of the "Housatonic."

Everything being ready at twilight on the 17th of February, 1864, these
devoted heroes took their places in the boat at Sullivan's Island, and
set off upon their perilous adventure. This time she got away
successfully, but that is the last that we hear of her save the official
report from the enemy, that about 9 o'clock an