An accidental crash
One theory posited that the Hunley may have accidentally collided with the USS Canandaigua, which was en route to assist the Housatonic. This hypothesis suggested a tragic case of mistaken identity or navigational error leading to the submarine’s demise. However, further research and analysis found no substantial evidence to support this collision theory.
In a perplexing twist, it was discovered in 2008 that the crew had not engaged in actions typically associated with onboard flooding, such as pumping out water. This revelation added another layer of complexity to the mystery, indicating that the crew may not have been responding to an immediate crisis, or that the situation inside the Hunley during its final moments was far from ordinary.