Crewmen's remains identified

CHARLESTON - George Dixon, commander of the H.L. Hunley, was an athletic man in his mid-20s with blond hair. Arnold Becker likely was the smallest and youngest crew member of the Confederate submarine.

Both men were aboard the Hunley on Feb. 17, 1864, when it sank the Union blockade ship Housatonic, becoming the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship. But soon after, the submarine and her crew of eight also sank, and they were lost for more than a century until they were raised in 2000.

Leading up to Saturday's funeral for the Hunley's crew, biographies and facial reconstructions of two crewmen were being released each day. Lectures, ceremonies and a series of vigils were also planned.

On Monday, experts put the names Dixon and Becker to remains they have been analyzing for months. A forensic expert from the Smithsonian Institution and a forensic genealogist helped estimate the identities based on military records and skeletal remains that narrowed the men's age and region of origin.

Through the analysis, researchers say Becker's remains show signs of strenuous physical activity.

"His teeth have linear growth disturbance lines that were most likely caused by childhood illnesses or bouts of malnutrition," said Doug Owsley, forensic expert with the Smithsonian Institution.

Becker joined the Confederate States Navy, where he served on the CSS Chicora and the CSS Indian Chief, before being recruited by Lt. George Dixon to man the Hunley.

Becker was third-in-command of the vessel, where he operated the bellows and snorkel tubes that enabled the crew to breathe.

He managed the forward pump and occasionally manually worked the first crank handle.

Dixon, perhaps the most well-known of the Hunley crew, navigated the submarine with only a compass bearing and limited visibility. He triggered the Hunley's explosive device that would sink the Housatonic.

Dixon served in the Confederate Army, where he was involved in a famous battle in Shiloh, Tenn. According to legend, Dixon was given a gold coin as a good luck charm when he left for war. Dixon was shot during the Battle of Shiloh. Legend has it that the bullet struck the gold coin in Dixon's pocket, saving his life.

The legend appears to be true.

"We found a healed gunshot wound in Dixon's left upper thigh, with minute lead fragments embedded in the bone," said senior archaeologist Maria Jacobsen.

A $20 gold piece minted in 1860 was discovered next to the Dixon's remains in the Hunley.