SC lab studying new way to preserve artifacts

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina conservation lab has received a grant to study new ways to help remove salts from marine artifacts.

Clemson University announced Wednesday a $24,000 grant from the National Park Service was awarded to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center at Clemson’s Restoration Institute in North Charleston. The money is part of a total $235,000 National Park Service grant.

Clemson researchers will investigate using ion-exchange technologies to remove chloride and other ions from caustic solutions used to preserve maritime artifacts.

The lab is where the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley is being conserved.

The Hunley was the first sub in history to sink an enemy warship, sinking the Union blockade ship Housatonic off Charleston in 1864. The Hunley itself sank, was raised 12 years ago and brought to the lab.