As the City of Isle of Palms moves forward with a major beach renourishment project, historic Civil War-era shipwrecks resting offshore have been identified and will be avoided during dredging operations.
About a mile from the entrance to Charleston Harbor lie the remains of merchant and whaling ships deliberately sunk by the Union Navy early in the Civil War. The vessels were part of an effort to block Confederate supply routes and prevent the export of plantation-grown crops.
The effort began in November 1861, when a fleet of 16 or 17 stone-laden ships departed from New Bedford, Massachusetts, bound for South Carolina. After arriving in Charleston Harbor on Dec. 19 around 3 p.m., Union crews opened holes drilled into the hulls, tore down masts and cut rigging before abandoning the vessels in lifeboats as they sank. A second fleet of 13 or 14 ships was scuttled about a month later to reinforce the blockade.
Although the strategy temporarily disrupted harbor traffic, it ultimately failed. As reported by The New York Times, “The shipwrecks on the bottom sank deep into the sand or broke up and floated away. New channels formed around the remaining ships.”
Today, what remains are primarily ballast mounds — piles of stone once used to weigh down the ships. Because of their historical significance, dredging equipment for the upcoming beach project will avoid the area to protect both the machinery and the shipwreck sites. To prevent looting or disturbance, the exact locations of the remains will not be publicly disclosed.
The renourishment project falls under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, triggering federal oversight due to work in navigable waters and near historic resources. Plans are also being reviewed under the National Historic Preservation Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Permits for the large offshore project were finalized and submitted in September. The next step is developing a financial cost-sharing agreement with the Wild Dunes Community Association, a matter currently under discussion by the city’s Public Services & Facilities Committee. Soliciting bids was slated for February.
As part of the city’s long-term Comprehensive Beach Management Plan, up to 2.5 million cubic yards of sand are expected to be placed island-wide beginning early this summer.
To help finance the dredging, the city secured $5.3 million in state funding. An additional estimated $27 million will come from local sources, including contributions from the Wild Dunes Community Association. Final donation amounts have not yet been determined, according to Joshua Uys, public information officer for the City of Isle of Palms. Other beach restoration efforts are supported through the city’s Beach Preservation Fund, WDCA contributions and state and federal sources.
At its Jan. 29 meeting, city council voted to hire Foth/Olsen to study long-term sand restoration strategies. Council members said a new contractor could bring innovative ideas to extend the lifespan of future sand placements.
Uys said the project offers multiple benefits. “A healthy dune and wide beach act as a natural barrier against storm surge and flooding, protecting people and property along the coasts from hurricanes and coastal storms,” he said.
He added that beach restoration also preserves recreation and wildlife habitat. During peak season, Isle of Palms welcomes roughly 20,000 visitors per day. “Restoring sand keeps the beach safe and enjoyable,” Uys said, noting that dunes and beaches also provide critical habitat for sea turtles, birds, fish and other coastal species.
Economically, healthy beaches are vital to the island. Tourism revenue is projected to exceed $8 million in the next fiscal year, helping offset the local tax burden.
For updates and more information, visit iop.net/beach.
By Sarah Rose
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