Cultural Resources Magnetometer Survey of Proposed Borrow Area, Vicinity of the St. Marys Entrance Channel, Nassau County, Florida

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, has proposed to dredge sand from an offshore borrow area east of Cumberland Island, Georgia to nourish the beach in Nassau County, Florida for a proposed shore protection project. In order to determine proposed project effects on submerged cultural resources, a remote sensing survey was required to locate, identify, and assess the significance of any underwater cultural material in the proposed study area. The investigation completed by Tidewater Atlantic Research of Washington, North Carolina, was designed to provide accurate and reliable identification, assessment, and remote sensing documentation of submerged cultural resources located within the study area. Prior to fieldwork, a program of historical and documentary research was conducted to provide a proper framework for submerged cultural resource assessment in the St. Marys Entrance Channel. The field investigation involved the systematic collection of magnetic data from the study area. Four targets were identified during the investigation. Three of the four targets, SM-01, SM-02, and SM-03 were found to generate magnetic signatures with characteristics that compare favorably with those of single ferrous objects such as modern debris, cannons, pipes, or perhaps anchors. With the exception of Target SM03, no additional investigation of those targets is recommended in conjunction with the proposed investigation. While material at Target SM03 generated a magnetic signature with characteristics that compare favorably with those of single ferrous objects, its proximity to Target SM-04 suggests a possible association with a potentially significant anomaly. The signature of anomaly Target SM-04 suggests that material at the site could represent the remains of a potentially significant historical vessel. As such it should be considered potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. In the event that the sites will be impacted by dredging, additional investigation of the anomalies is recommended to identify the material generating the signatures and assess their potential significance. If those target locations can be avoided, no additional investigation is recommended in conjunction with the proposed project.