The Mars Bluff Navy Yard was established in 1862 and the CSS PeeDee, a gunboat was constructed there. The ship was launched in January 1865, but its career was cut short by Sherman's advance when it was scuttled March 15, 1865 to prevent capture.
The cannons, two Confederate Rifled Brooks and one captured Union Dahlgren were thrown into the river, where they have remained.
The USC people will be working with those from East Carolina University and Francis Marion University. The cannons will be preserved at FMU and then exhibited at the Florence County Museum.
The cannons were first located by the CSS PeeDee Research and Recovery Team in 1996 according to an article comment. Not only did they find the cannons, but also recovered numerous objects such as artillery shells, shot, cannister, and medicine bottles. These are now on display at the Myrtle Beach Indoor Shooting Range.
Looking Forward to Seeing Those Cannons. --B-R
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
