Brought down by a small flaw
Upon further examination of the wreck, researchers discerned that the pipe had indeed broken, leaving a gap of about one inch where it should have been attached to the submarine wall. This discovery led to questions about whether such a breach could have been significant enough to sink the Hunley and its entire crew.
The presence of a gap, albeit small, suggested the possibility of water ingress, which could have been catastrophic for the submarine’s buoyancy and stability.