Archaeological Data Recovery Area 3 Fig Island Channel Site Savannah Harbor Savannah, Georgia

Fig Island Channel once separated Hutchinson Island from Fig Island and was located across the Savannah River from the City of Savannah, Georgia. Shortly after the Revolutionary War, inhabitants of Savannah began the practice of abandoning derelict vessels in Fig Island Channel in an attempt to reduce shoaling in the Savannah River. Recent improvements to Savannah Harbor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Savannah Harbor Navigation Project) have caused historic vessels once buried in Fig Island Channel to erode from the shoreline. Because of the size of the Fig Island Channel Archaeological Site and the number of vessels to be recorded in a relatively short period of time, several independent archaeological consultant groups, in conjunction with Gulf Engineers and Consultants, Inc. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were subcontracted to conduct archaeological data recovery at the site. In the case of Area 3, the Corps of Engineers visually identified three derelict vessels designated as Vessels 6, 7, and 13. Mid-Atlantic Technology of Wilmington, North Carolina, was contracted to conduct archaeological data recovery of Vessels 6, 7, and 13 along with an intensive survey to identify any other buried derelicts within Area 3. Mid-Atlantic Technology's field investigations began August 9 and were completed August 20, 1993. Vessels 6, 7, and 13 were excavated, and details of their construction were recorded. Vessel 6 was identified as the remains of a converted centerboard schooner. Apparently, Vessel 6 had been converted into a barge or lighter by the time of its abandonment. Vessel 7 was identified as the remains of a common bateau. Vessel 13 was identified as the remains of a small, badly deteriorated lapped-strake boat.