In the Field Finally Got The Hunt For The Confederate Cannons Started Today, Are These Them?

UCVRelics

Brevet Brigadier General
Forum Host
Gold Patron
Regtl. Quartermaster Shiloh 2020
Asst. Regtl. Quartermaster Antietam 2021
Regtl. Quartermaster Stones River / Franklin 2022
Joined
May 7, 2016
Location
Alabama
Several years ago I came across the accounts of the first Union Col to enter the town and his report stated that at the arsenal he found all the equipment and 10 cannons. He also stated that all items were dumped in the river. The cannons were intended for the fortification here and were never mounted. After more research and ground pounding I located the arsenal sight which was located on the railroad and the river. Ive been on a friend of mine for almost a year to bring his dive boat with sonar down and today was the day. After getting to the site and everything calibrated we started scanning. We started in the middle of the river and started work back toward the bank and we found the usual items logs. On the 3rd pass about 30 feet from the bank we got a hit that was not logs. On a second scan over the spot it got a little clearer. Will be back out tomorrow. According the the sonar they are buried in about 4 feet of silt as the river bottom is limestone. If they turnout to be them they can't be recovered with out a LOT of paperwork, permits, etc etc etc but I just wanted to know it they were indeed there. I can't say for sure from what we saw today but they are NOT logs. We are going to use a big industrial magnet tomorrow just to see what we can pull up from the site. The last photo is of the high water mark from the flood in March I had to evacuate from.
IMG_20190802_130959833.jpg
IMG_20190802_131823170.jpg
IMG_20190802_142108924.jpg
 
Several years ago I came across the accounts of the first Union Col to enter the town and his report stated that at the arsenal he found all the equipment and 10 cannons. He also stated that all items were dumped in the river.

The first question that popped in my head is Where? What town are you referring to?
I guess you are being evasive for a reason. I'm okay with that.
 
I'm referring to the town I live in. :D and we will leave it at that.
 
You're right about permits, oversight, and legality. It's likely that either the state or the federal government would claim ownership. One thing to think about is that since the river is subject to flooding, it's likely that the Corps of Engineers is involved in some way. That may be to your benefit. As a government agency, the Corps is subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Should they propose any flood control projects, the Corps is required to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation the opportunity to comment on the project. And who knows, that might be a good thing.
 
Stuff like that found in a river are usually deemed state property and/or laws governing archaeological artifacts.

For a bit of insight, research what happened at Ft Branch, NC. Similar situation with cannons in the river. The fort was private property. It's not just a simple matter if fishing them out of the silt.
 
Stuff like that found in a river are usually deemed state property and/or laws governing archaeological artifacts.

For a bit of insight, research what happened at Ft Branch, NC. Similar situation with cannons in the river. The fort was private property. It's not just a simple matter if fishing them out of the silt.

I am VERY WELL versed in the laws of this state. All laws and permits will be adhered to.:D
 
Congratulations on a successful search and research for your dream! Don’t know about all the legal matters but wish you the best!
Regards
David
 
Awesome find!

Hey if you need help I've dived a long, long time ago, plus I'm good at going after what some folks would call crazy goals...

If you haven't been diving for a while please, please refresh your skills in a pool or other more sedate environment before you go into the river. Don't want you showing up in the "Accidents and Incidents" forum on "Scubaboard" (My other online home)
 
Just let me know when you decide you need a set of extra hands pulling those things aboard!!!
You would have to put up with a lot of "Jarhead" jokes when dealing with ucvrelics, but he's a good egg and I can't be sure; but I believe that the line is forming for this recon mission.
 
Back
Top