The mention earlier of Clive Cussler is right on.While he is best known for his Dirk Pitt adventure novels, the reason he writes is to finance his explorations,mostly marine but also landbound.
He has a book out(CRS strikes. I can't remember the title) where a chapter is devoted to his search for and subsequent discovery of the Hunley. He includes quite a bit of historical fact along with a fanciful story of the Hunley. Interesting reading,it includes his other searches and discoveries, some of which will amaze you.

rr