On a February night in 1864 the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley sank the Union Housatonic in the first successful submarine attack. In her triumph the Hunley sank with all hands aboard, the cause of her fate a mystery. Some 136 years later, the newly-discovered Hunley was raised to the surface at Charleston harbour and restoration work began. This is an account of the Hunley's development and career, her mysterious sinking, and her recovery and restoration to date.