The deepening of the shipping channel in Savannah, Georgia, won't be dredging up just mud and sand. It will be raising up a link to the past: an ironclad that protected the city during the Civil War until the vessel met its undignified demise. For about the next nine months, divers will be working to bring up the CSS Georgia, piece by rusted piece, from nearly 40 feet down in the Savannah River. The $706 million harbor deepening officially began Thursday with speeches and the firing of an old cannon at Old Fort Jackson near the wreck site. The removal of the CSS Georgia is necessary for the state and federal project, which will see the channel go from 42 to 47 feet so massive cargo container ships can use the port without relying on the tide. While some material from the Confederate vessel was recovered after the war, four artillery pieces, parts of the propeller and propulsion system, a boiler and two casemates, which housed the artillery pieces, remain in the swift, dark waters. One of the casemates is huge: 68 feet by 24 feet.
This is amazing to me how this ship was able to stay in its condition for so long and it would be interesting to see how it was used in the Civil War. It's obvious that it was used to fight for the South, considering its name. it will interesting to see how the findings will help in understanding the war as a whole.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/29/us/savannah-harbor-deepening-civil-war-ironclad/index.html
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