This cannon that was on a Confederate ironclad in Savannah, Georgia, was above the surface for the first time in 150 years on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. It was being raised along with other artifacts as part of a channel deepening project.
This cannon that was on a Confederate ironclad in Savannah, Georgia, was above the surface for the first time in 150 years on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. It was being raised along with other artifacts as part of a channel deepening project.
US NAVY
Navy Diver 1st Class Spencer Puett prepares to dive as part of the CSS Georgia salvage operations. About 40 Navy personnel are taking part in the summer salvage operation. Divers have to deal with extremely low visibility.
Navy Diver 1st Class Spencer Puett prepares to dive as part of the CSS Georgia salvage operations. About 40 Navy personnel are taking part in the summer salvage operation. Divers have to deal with extremely low visibility.
US NAVY
The first of four cannons to be removed from the CSS Georgia by U.S. Navy divers is lifted to a barge in the Savannah River on July 15.
The first of four cannons to be removed from the CSS Georgia by U.S. Navy divers is lifted to a barge in the Savannah River on July 15.
US NAVY
This small cannon, known as a "six pounder," was probably placed at the top of the deck of the CSS Georgia. It would have been used to fire on small row boats sent into Savannah by Federal commanders. It never got a chance to fire on the enemy. Click through to see more fascinating items that have been retrieved.
This small cannon, known as a "six pounder," was probably placed at the top of the deck of the CSS Georgia. It would have been used to fire on small row boats sent into Savannah by Federal commanders. It never got a chance to fire on the enemy. Click through to see more fascinating items that have been retrieved.
US NAVY
This piece of nautical tackle was used to move objects topside on the Confederate ironclad. Teredo shipworms have consumed most of the vessel's wooden hull and components.
This piece of nautical tackle was used to move objects topside on the Confederate ironclad. Teredo shipworms have consumed most of the vessel's wooden hull and components.
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Parker Brooks, a conservator and graduate student at Texas A&M University, studies an elevator screw and firing mechanism from a CSS Georgia cannon.
Parker Brooks, a conservator and graduate student at Texas A&M University, studies an elevator screw and firing mechanism from a CSS Georgia cannon.
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
A glass top from what archaeologists believe was a condiment bottle.
A glass top from what archaeologists believe was a condiment bottle.
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
After seven months of dives, the wreckage of the CSS Georgia in the Savannah River has yielded 1,500 items, along with cannons and artillery rounds. This pair of leg irons used to hold a prisoner will undergo conservation at Texas A&M University for eventual display.
After seven months of dives, the wreckage of the CSS Georgia in the Savannah River has yielded 1,500 items, along with cannons and artillery rounds. This pair of leg irons used to hold a prisoner will undergo conservation at Texas A&M University for eventual display.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Confederate vessel actually had armor made of inverted pieces of railroad iron because of the scarcity of preferred rolled plate. This schematic shows one of the CSS Georgia's guns -- four of which will be recovered this summer -- and the gun carriage that held it. The next two photos provide details of the highlighted items that have been brought to the surface by hand.
The Confederate vessel actually had armor made of inverted pieces of railroad iron because of the scarcity of preferred rolled plate. This schematic shows one of the CSS Georgia's guns -- four of which will be recovered this summer -- and the gun carriage that held it. The next two photos provide details of the highlighted items that have been brought to the surface by hand.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This piece of iron had eyes, or holes, that were used as part of the rope and wood assembly that allowed the ironclad's crew to move guns closer or farther from portholes and into firing position. The CSS Georgia was scuttled when Savannah fell to Federal forces in December 1864.
This piece of iron had eyes, or holes, that were used as part of the rope and wood assembly that allowed the ironclad's crew to move guns closer or farther from portholes and into firing position. The CSS Georgia was scuttled when Savannah fell to Federal forces in December 1864.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This trunnion cap, which helped connect a piece of artillery to a gun carriage, is in pretty good shape. It's well-known that the South had difficulty in matching technology of Northern equipment during the Civil War. Whereas a Northern version of this piece would have slots, the maker of this Confederate vessel resorted to large holes.
This trunnion cap, which helped connect a piece of artillery to a gun carriage, is in pretty good shape. It's well-known that the South had difficulty in matching technology of Northern equipment during the Civil War. Whereas a Northern version of this piece would have slots, the maker of this Confederate vessel resorted to large holes.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
One of the two leg irons recovered from the CSS Georgia site. "Part of the iron is solid; some has eroded completely," said Jim Jobling of Texas A&M. Scientists will remove encrusted material and inject epoxy into the areas of deterioration. An exact replica will be made. Then the epoxy will be removed from the original item.
One of the two leg irons recovered from the CSS Georgia site. "Part of the iron is solid; some has eroded completely," said Jim Jobling of Texas A&M. Scientists will remove encrusted material and inject epoxy into the areas of deterioration. An exact replica will be made. Then the epoxy will be removed from the original item.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
An X-ray of the pair of leg irons showed some areas of corrosion and a good amount of integrity inside.
An X-ray of the pair of leg irons showed some areas of corrosion and a good amount of integrity inside.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The CSS Georgia's wooden lower hull apparently is no longer in existence. But there is some surviving wood among pieces of iron and brass. "The wood is very badly eaten and is more like sponge. As far as conservation, it is not worth doing," said Jobling. "It's too far gone."
The CSS Georgia's wooden lower hull apparently is no longer in existence. But there is some surviving wood among pieces of iron and brass. "The wood is very badly eaten and is more like sponge. As far as conservation, it is not worth doing," said Jobling. "It's too far gone."
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
One of the enduring mysteries of the CSS Georgia is the whereabouts of the only known photo of the ironclad. A gentlemen in the foreground gazes at the vessel in the background. Someone took a photo of the grainy photo at a yard sale in southern Georgia a couple decades ago. Now officials are asking the public in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gpb.org%2Fnews%2F2015%2F01%2F29%2Fwanted-photo-of-confederate-battleship" target="_blank" target="_blank">helping them find the original photo</a>. Researchers hope that one day public outreach such as this effort might lead to a diary or something else that could help tell the story of the crew.
One of the enduring mysteries of the CSS Georgia is the whereabouts of the only known photo of the ironclad. A gentlemen in the foreground gazes at the vessel in the background. Someone took a photo of the grainy photo at a yard sale in southern Georgia a couple decades ago. Now officials are asking the public in helping them find the original photo. Researchers hope that one day public outreach such as this effort might lead to a diary or something else that could help tell the story of the crew.
Georgia Historical Society