On April 2, 1863, the Union's first submarine, USS Alligator, was lost off the coast of Cape Hatteras. Building began on it in 1861 and was propelled by 16 hand powered paddles, but was retrofitted in 1862 with a hand cranked propeller. It's intended purpose was to counter the threat of posed to wooden hulled blockaders. It was being towed by USS Sumpter towards South Carolina when bad weather hit off the the coast of North Carolina. The captain of the Sumpter ultimately decided to cut Alligator adrift in order to save his own ship. Alligator sank soon after, and has yet to be found. #history #waiv #somee #sme #pob #cine