Some of the Strangest Things on Earth That Are Only Found in the Deep Ocean

The ocean is a vast, unexplored territory that’s still waiting to be discovered. You never know what you’ll find when exploring underneath the surface. You may stumble upon old shipwrecks, treasures, or even learn something new about marine life.

But the deep ocean is also filled with some really weird things lurking below. Check out some of the strangest things found in the ocean that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

The H.L. Hunley

In 1863, the Civil War submarine H.L. Hunley set out on its maiden voyage under the sea. The Confederate Navy crew’s mission was to put an end to a Union blockade in Charleston Harbor.

But they lost the submarine at the dock during their first mission and this wasn’t the last time it sank into the ocean. As it turns out, the ship wasn’t destined for a glorious war history out at sea.

It Sank More Than Once

Three attempts were made to retrieve the H.L. Hunley from the bottom of the sea. The retrieval team believe that the ship sank the first time because it got tangled in its rope lines and dragged down under.

Once the submarine was repaired, the Hunley set sail again, but one of the crew members failed to close an important valve. The entire ship flooded, which led to the loss of all hands on board as well as the vessel.

Third Time Was Not the Charm

In spite of two previous sinkings, the submarine was once again repaired and sent out on another mission. But shortly after it sank the U.S.S. Houseatonic, the Hunley sank again for unknown reasons.

Had the Houseatonic gotten in one final torpedo shot? Was the sinking related to human error? No one knows what led to the Hunley’s third loss in 1874, but it would take years for the ship to be discovered again.

131 Years Later

The Hunley’s final mission was in February of 1864 and since then, the ship has been lost in the deep ocean. It took 131 years before it was found again in 1995, but the ancient vessel was rusty and falling apart.

So, retrieval teams weren’t able to bring what remained of the ship back to the surface until 2000. But once it was safe, researchers started studying the ship to unravel its mysteries.