Stephen Weise

WLCC Volunteer

Email: sweise@clemson.edu

Office: 843-744-2974

Education:
Master’s Degree, Nuclear Engineering – University of Virginia
Bachelor of Science, Applied Science – U.S. Naval Academy

Responsibilities:
Active Duty Naval Officer from 1972 – 1980, qualified in submarines on USS Tunny (SSN 682), nuclear propulsion qualified officer through Engineer Officer, Flight Safety Officer for operational testing of Trident and Poseidon missiles, Nuclear Power School instructor/division head. On leaving active duty, qualified as senior resident inspector for Robinson Nuclear Plant, followed by management positions as Regional Office Section Chief and Branch Chief. Left government service in 1986 to join nuclear plant evaluation organization – Institute of Nuclear Power Operations – for nearly 23 years. Evaluated domestic and foreign nuclear electric generating plants as expert evaluator and Team Manager. Managed several Institute departments and served as Corporate Secretary and National Nuclear Accrediting Board Secretary during this industry career. Also served on-loan as a nuclear plant training manager and corporate division director. Stayed in the US Naval Reserve during these same years, engaged in repair and construction of ships and submarines. Retired from the Navy as a Captain with 30-years’ service.
Following retirement and relocation to Charleston, joined the Clemson Hunley archaeological research team under direction of Maria Jacobsen, senior archaeologist, in October 2010. Assists with VIP tours as needed. Project activities include preparation, model testing and righting of the Hunley to its present position; database updating; inventory of artifacts and samples and associated photographs and Xrays; historical records research and organization; maintaining and indexing research library; currently calculating crew respiration and airspace conditions associated with operation of Hunley; and support activities for scanning/photographing the submarine hull.

Research interest:
Learning the design methods and features associated with the Hunley; Determining how the Hunley was operated and any changes in operational procedures over the life of the submarine; and Searching for additional historical records or accounts of the operations of Hunley and the identities and personal lives of the crews

Publications:
Bradley Blankemeyer, Stephen Weise & Michael Scafuri (2016) Analysis of the Aft Ballast Pump Onboard the American Civil War-era Submarine H.L. Hunley , Industrial Archaeology Review, 38:1, 35-46.

Steve Weise and Raegan Smith (Fall 2016) Diving Deeper Into the Hunley's History, The Blue Light, Vol. 48, 4-7.

M. Scafuri, S. Weise, B. Rennison, M. Jacobsen (2014) The H.L. Hunley Weapon System:Using 3D Modeling to Replicate the First Submarine Attack, ACUA Underwater Archaeology Proceedings 2014.

Professional society activity:
Member, U.S. Naval Institute
Member, South Carolina Historical Society
Member, Naval Submarine League

Additional Information:
In his spare time, he studies Charleston naval and Civil War history, US submarine history, and family genealogical records, and enjoys hiking.