University of South Carolina’s Institute for Archaeology and Anthropology is interested in what lies beneath Charleston Harbor (view a map of Charleston Harbor defenses). Underwater archaeologist James Spirek is traveling to the bottom of Charleston Harbor on an expedition to find remains of Civil War-era shipwrecks.

Spirek expects to find many ships, since Charleston had a “strategic position” in the war. Spirek went on to say, “We’re treating this area as one giant battlefield, as opposed to a number of separate smaller ones.” Finding the exact locations of the ships will also help determine battle strategies on the water, as far as whether a ship was used for tactical or strategic positions, counter-measures, or blockade running. Spirek also expects to find submerged coastal-defense barriers, torpedoes, and other relics of naval warfare.

A secondary effort of the exploration is to mark or begin excavation in the historical areas since beach renourishment projects, channel widening, and other projects involving human intervention could damage the shipwrecks.

“The project is being funded by a grant from National Park Service through their American Battlefield Protection Program,” Spirek said.

The search begins this month.

Learn more about South Carolina’s Civil War Battles.

See more South Carolina’s Civil War Maps.

Tags: archaeology, charleston, civil war, civil war battles, national park service

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