Archaeological Survey of the Savannah River (Ranges 75-500 to 77-500)

The survey of the Powell Duffryn Oil Company water front and proposed spoil areas was accomplished during late April and early May 1983. Investigations consisted of ground walkover and surface testing accompanied with some test pits in more sensitive areas. Additional low water survey, operating out of a small boat, allowed examination of the river bank. The survey area was originally much larger than actual land ownership required. As a result, considerable time was spent examining two sites which were outside the project area. Surface indications on the land indicated several structures. Most of these were associated with twentieth century dock activities and were thus not deemed significant. One low-tidal cluster of features was noted within the survey area. This is a jetty and the remains of a dock just downstream from the PD Oil slip. Two additional sites which are, seemingly, eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places were found. One, the remains of a derelict vessel is located just north of the survey area. The second, a marine railway on a site which can be documented as to use as far back as the 1850's, was located and inspected to the east of the downstream property boundary. The cartographic and documentary search of information revealed that the area to be. built upon and/or partially dredged along the slip, may be a filled in water basin used in conjunction with a lumber mill which operated on the site in the nineteenth century, This may pose problems if a stable platform is needed in the area in the future. Since so much. of the area was overlain by fill, it was difficult to learn what remains still exist in the area which relate to the earlier occupations. Since no culturally significant sites were identified, work should be permitted to continue but caution should be observed in the dredging activity, especially when close to the riverbank since the likelihood of encountering buried marine and terrestrial material is obviously present. In the event of encountering such remains, additional examination may be necessary.