Archival Research, Low Water Reconnaissance, and Remote Sensing Survey Container Berth 8, Garden City Terminal Chatham County, Georgia

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is proposing to develop a new container berth and a paved container storage facility at their Garden City Terminal in Chatham County, Georgia. As the container berth site contains a previously recorded and historically significant multi-component archaeological site (9CH137), a reconnaissance of the intratidal shoreline and a remote sensing survey of the Savannah River bottom was determined to be necessary. The intratidal reconnaissance and remote sensing survey were designed to identify submerged and tidally inundated cultural resources that might be impacted by proposed construction activities. Through Lockwood Greene Engineering & Construction, GPA contracted with Tidewater Atlantic Research, Inc. (TAR) of Washington, North Carolina to conduct both the submerged remote sensing survey and low-water shoreline pedestrian survey. That field work was carried out between 13 April and 17 May 2001. The remote sensing survey identified a cluster of magnetic and acoustic targets in the project area. Although those targets could not be dismissed on the basis of the remote sensing data, subsequent diver assessment identified material generating those signatures as modern debris. The intratidal reconnaissance identified two small box-like structures, a large fragment of a wood bulkhead or wharf and the remains of a small vessel. Although the box-like structures could not be positively identified, each was excavated and documented. Design and construction details of the fragmentary remains of the bulkhead were recorded. The small vessel was determined to be modern in origin and had been designed and constructed for internal combustion engine propulsion. Surviving architectural and construction details of the hull were documented. The investigations carried out by TAR confirmed that no National Register of Historic Places eligible cultural resources on the Savannah River bottom or the intratidal zone will be impacted by proposed construction activities. Based on those findings, no additional investigation of the Berth 8 site is recommended.