The Wilmington (NC) Star News reporter Ben Steelman answered the question of what are the Frying Pan Shoals, located off the Cape Fear River.
They are a line of shallow sandbars extending southeast of Bald Head Island for 28 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, and they have always been a menace to navigation, and during the Civil War, made it particularly difficult to blockade for Union ships, especially with the fact there were two entrances blockade-runners could choose.
Two lighthouses were built over the years to mark it as well as several lightships, and one Texas tower. Today, it is very popular with fishermen, especially for blue fin tuna. Recently, the tower was auctioned off, but the deal apparently has fallen through.
Since 2003, the NOAA has operated a 3-meter discus buoy about 8.22 miles off the Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower.
We'll Leave the Light On Again. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
