Heart Of Charleston Walking Tours

02/17/2025

On this day, February 17th, 1864 the CSS Hunley became the first submarine is history to sink an enemy vessel. She was crewed by eight brave men who volunteered for this duty after two previous crews had been lost in sea trials. They knew the risks but were willing to face them in defense of the city of Charleston.
Unfortunately this third and final crew would also go on eternal patrol and be lost at sea until Clive Cussler found the submarine in 1995. The crew were finally able to be buried with full military honors in 2004 and their funeral procession was over 4 miles long. The CSS Hunley and her crew forever changed the way naval warfare would be waged and all submariners around the globe can thank these brave men for beginning our brotherhood.

02/17/2025

I hope y’all enjoy this post from a few years ago about this historic date which is the anniversary of the first successful submarine attack in history off the coast of Charleston.

01/12/2025

President Jimmy Carter was a man who was admired even by those who disagreed with his policies. He served his country as a submarine sailor in the United States Navy, and after he retired he worked tirelessly to build homes for those less fortunate doing the actual construction himself rather than just donating money. He leaves behind a legacy that is bigger than his presidency and one that Americans of every background can aspire too. Pictured below is his namesake, the USS Jimmy Carter Seawolf class submarine. It is the only submarine in the fleet to bear the name of a US president and she is still active in our Navy. Farewell and following seas Mr President.

01/01/2025

12/13/2024

Tomorrow marks the 242nd anniversary of the British evacuation of Chalreston, S.C. on December 14th 1782. Then known as Charlestown this city’s victory marked the effective end of the war. The evacuation was over a year after the Battle of Yorktown and the British had finally and completely lost their will to fight.
The war would officially end with the Treaty of Paris on September 3 1783, but the evacuation of Charleston was the final act that destroyed any hope of the Mad King George III regaining control of his former colonies. The Carolinas had been a particular thorn in the side of Cornwallis constantly harassing and thwarting him, and we had stood toe to toe with the most powerful nation on earth and won.
The British call this day “Evacuation Day” and would love to forget about it. Rightly so here in America it is called Victory Day! While we won our freedom that day it still needs defending every second of every day, never forget the brave men and women who fought and died for our freedoms from the Revolution through today. God bless America and God bless our troops in air, on land, and on sea! Happy Victory Day America!

12/07/2024

During the cowardly sneak attack on Pearl Harbor 1,177 men perished on board the U.S.S. Arizona, of these only 107 were ever positively identified. The Arizona casualties alone equate to almost half of the 2,469 military servicemen and civilians killed. This is why the U.S.S. Arizona is so revered. She is also still leaking oil to this day and has live ammunition on board. Of the casualties about 900 were unable to be recovered and remain on the ship to this day as their final resting place. The last survivor of the Arizona passed away this year in April at the age of 102. Check out our other Pearl Harbor post today to see more about those we owe our freedom too.

12/07/2024

“Today is a day that will live in infamy.” 83 years ago today the evil Empire of Japan cowardly attacked the United States in a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor bringing the United States into WWII, 2,403 Americans were killed in the attack including civilians. During the war more than 400,000 Americans were killed and almost 700,000 were wounded. My grandfather served in the war at Okinawa which was the bloodiest battle of the Pacific and last battle of the war. Let us NEVER forget these brave souls that lost their lives in defense not only of our freedoms but so many others as well. God Bless America! And God Bless our military and veterans.

12/06/2024

Happy feast of St Nicholas! Don’t forget what this season is really about.

11/10/2024

Happy birthday to the Navy’s little brother, the United States Marine Corps!

11/05/2024

As the weather cools down many of us enjoy a nice whiskey by the fire, but how familiar are you with some of the legends surrounding it? From the wild west to prohibition whiskey in the US has a fascinating history, whether you partake or not.
Many are familiar with the myth that the term "shot" originated in the Wild West when cowboys would pay for a small shot of whiskey with a bullet because they were the same price. While plausible this story is most likely false as the term was used before the Wild West. Dr. Jehu Z. Powell mentions an instance in his book which took place in 1857, in which an armed group of teetotalers in New Waverly, Ind. shot at a barrel of “red eye” whiskey in an effort to prevent the spirit from ever being drunk. Powell claims that after that altercation, “When the boys wanted a drink, they would ask for a ‘shot of red eye.’”
Another possible origin is the fact that inkwells were often weighed down with shot to prevent them tipping over and spilling.
There is also another common belief that the term originates from the practice of placing a small glass on the table during meals for bird shot and buckshot to be placed in that would be present in game meat.
The laws of Prohibition criminalized the manufacture, sale, and purchase of alcohol; though it did not mention consumption or gifts. The citizens of Charleston, SC quickly capitalized on these loopholes, being a major port city after all. In Charleston during Prohibition alcohol was smuggled in through the marshes and tunnels dug under buildings. This alcohol would then be distributed as "gifts" at establishments called "Blind Tigers" where patrons would pay to watch a blind tiger dance and perform tricks. Then the patron would be told the blind tiger was sick and given a "complimentary" beverage. The Blind Tiger pub on Broad street claims to be one of these former speakeasies and still serves some great cocktails to this day.
Join us on one of our Pirates, Patriots, and Prohibition tours to learn more about the criminal underworld in Charleston, as well as tales of great villainy and heroism.

11/02/2024

This is the poem I mentioned earlier. It is about the battle of Flanders’ Field in WWI and the foundation of the poppy tradition. With Veterans Day approaching let us never forget those who have served.
WWI ended over 100 years ago on 11th minute, of the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918 and we should never overlook their sacrifice, even though WWII would usher in an even greater evil. In Europe the 11th of November is still called Armistice Day celebrating the end of the Great War; here in the United States we call it Veterans Day. This day is for all those who served, THANK YOU!
As you enjoy your upcoming holiday weekend please say a prayer for those keeping us safe who can’t enjoy it, this is their day. Please thank a Veteran today and never forget 11:11 /11/11/1918.

11/02/2024

The poppy has long been a symbol of sacrifice, honor, and a grateful nation. The tradition began near the end of WWI to commemorate fallen allied soldiers. It was inspired by the poem “Flanders Field” which mentions poppies growing on the graves of the fallen.

10/13/2024

Happy Birthday Navy! On October 13th 1775 the United States Navy was formed thus birthing what is still today the world’s superior Navy. The Naval Jack has the rattle snake stretched out rather than coiled like the Gadson flag because the snake is swimming.

09/11/2024

On this day 23 years ago my life changed forever. I went to bed the night before excited about an upcoming horse show, woke up and got showered and ready for school then everything changed. I was a high school senior at a boarding school 3 hours outside of Manhattan on Long Island. K
When we were told a plane had hit the World Trade Center we originally thought it was a joke because our friend that told us had a dark sense of humor, but it was no joke. Next we figured it was a small private aircraft, tragic for those aboard but it wasn’t until we were able to see the footage that we realized how bad it was. At the time the second plane had not hit yet and we still thought it was a horrible accident; I was watching live as the second plane hit and I continued watching until I saw them collapse. It was now clear this was not an accident but an attack.
We learned of the news of flight 93 and were both saddened but also bolstered by the resolve and heroism of those on board. The attack on the pentagon had us terrified of a possible invasion, and the smoke from the towers traveled all the way out to the end of Long Island and engulfed our school. Thousands of lives snuffed out in a second.
The United States was no longer safe, we could be attacked on our home soil. There was no security or safety to expect anymore. The profound sense of loss even of those I did not know overwhelmed me, and still does on this day.
These attacks were the motivating factor in my decision to serve in the Navy. May we never forgot the horrors and evil that were brought to our country by evil men and the unity of our great nation in response to it. We did not let ourselves get beaten, we stood up and fought back. I truly pray for the rest of all the victims and for peace to their families.

09/06/2024

This is a very interesting article. As a submarine sailor I do have one correction though, the U-boats were in reality submarines. Other than that this is an excellent article about a forgotten part of WWII.
Charleston experienced similar attacks off of our coast as we have a large port and a navy base which closed under Clinton. In fact the US Coast Guard sunk a German U-Boat off the coast of Charleston.
I remember seeing the oily black sand from those battles as child still remaining 50 years later. I also remember air raid practices at my grandparents beach house during the Cold War, or perhaps that was the evacuation warning ahead of hurricane Hugo on the 29'th of this month in 1989.
Of course it could be both as I do remember a Yugoslavian freighter that was forced to remain anchored in Charleston with the US military onboard, because it was caught with little cargo but lots of antennas.
Charleston also has one of the crown Jewels of Naval Firsts, the C.S.S. Hunley. The C.S.S. Hunley was the first successful combat submarine in History. She was powered by hand and sank twice before her final crew sank the USS Housatonic on February 17th 1864 and then was lost with all hands. Twenty one confederate soldiers, sailors, and privateers went on eternal patrol in the Hunley's three sinkings.
The Turtle may have been the first successful submarine but she was useless in combat. The Hunley was the first ever successful combat submarine in history and birthed what would become the most formidable submarine force on the planet today, the United States Navy's Silent Service.
During WWII Submariners represented 1% of the US Navy, yet this 1% was responsible for almost one hundred thousand Japanese kills. This statistic is over 60% of all Japanese Naval losses. However 53 submarinres were lost with all hands in WWII and the USS Thresher and Scorpion were lost during the Cold War.
To all who have lost their lives in service to their country, we thank you! Our Lord we cry to Thee for those on land, in air, at sea.

While World War II wasn't exactly a secret, one u-boat battle off the US coast went down behind the scenes in a secret war.

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July from Heart of Charleston Walking Tours!

06/29/2024

Happy Carolina Day!!

A Carolina Day message from Heart of Charleston Walking Tours.