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History team maps out dive
07/20/04By Bucky Chapman, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer
The first phase of an underwater archaeological search for riches hidden by Rome’s rivers began Monday. Jason Burns, underwater archaeologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, met with some city officials and local historians at Ridge Ferry Park to map out a diving plan. “We want to find out what’s here and how we can take care of it,” Burns said. Monday also was used as a “game plan” day to pinpoint locations of possible ship wreckage and checking the clarity of the water for filming. City officials and local historians were there to help direct Burns to possible sites of interest, including areas where cannons may lie. There are rumors of cannons in the river near Southeastern Mills on First Avenue. During the Civil War the site was home to the Noble Brothers Foundry, which manufactured cannons. “I’d like to see some shells from cannons be found,” said Tommy Smith, member of the Sons of Union Veterans. The divers will take off from Ridge Ferry Park and boat around the river in various areas. Burns expects the confluence of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers near Heritage Park to be a historical gold mine. “There are a couple hundred years of maritime history at the confluence,” said Burns. “I’m hoping to identify two wrecks and put to rest rumors of Civil War cannons that are supposed to be in the Etowah,” said Pete Kendrigan, member of Marine Archaeology Research and Conservation, a nonprofit organization. The historians expect to find one shipwreck near Third and Fourth Avenue behind The Forum, and another shipwreck of a boat called “Dixie” near Coosa Country Club. The remains of 19th-century wharves also are located around the banks of the rivers as well. Divers from MARC will assist Burns on the dive through the week and student divers will be there on the weekend. “Saturday and Sunday we’ll have a gaggle of divers,” Burns said.
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“In the mean time General Jeff. C. Davis had got possession of Rome with its forts, some eight or ten guns of heavy caliber, and its valuable mills and foundries.”
O.R. Vol. XXXVIII REPORTS, ETC.- MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS. (May, 1864)
GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 17.
Rome, Ga., November 10, 1864.
III. The defenses of Rome will be destroyed and the forts dismantled, under the supervision of Lieutenant William Ludlow, U. S. Engineer Corps. Captain Burnham, provost-marshal, aided by Captain Longstreth, of the pioneer corps, and the FIFTY-second Illinois Infantry, is hereby ordered of effectually destroy all the machinery in the foundries, mills, and factories, also to burn all bridges, foundries, mills, workshops, ware-houses, railroad depots, and other store-houses, convenient to the railroad, together with all the wagon-shops, tanneries, and other factories that may prove useful to the enemy, after which the FIFTY-second Illinois will clear the town of all soldiers, and destroy all barracks, tents, and Government property the command has not been able to remove, closing up the rear, reporting to General Rice at or near Kingston.
O.R. XXXIX Chapter LI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -UNION.
07/20/04By Bucky Chapman, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer
The first phase of an underwater archaeological search for riches hidden by Rome’s rivers began Monday. Jason Burns, underwater archaeologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, met with some city officials and local historians at Ridge Ferry Park to map out a diving plan. “We want to find out what’s here and how we can take care of it,” Burns said. Monday also was used as a “game plan” day to pinpoint locations of possible ship wreckage and checking the clarity of the water for filming. City officials and local historians were there to help direct Burns to possible sites of interest, including areas where cannons may lie. There are rumors of cannons in the river near Southeastern Mills on First Avenue. During the Civil War the site was home to the Noble Brothers Foundry, which manufactured cannons. “I’d like to see some shells from cannons be found,” said Tommy Smith, member of the Sons of Union Veterans. The divers will take off from Ridge Ferry Park and boat around the river in various areas. Burns expects the confluence of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers near Heritage Park to be a historical gold mine. “There are a couple hundred years of maritime history at the confluence,” said Burns. “I’m hoping to identify two wrecks and put to rest rumors of Civil War cannons that are supposed to be in the Etowah,” said Pete Kendrigan, member of Marine Archaeology Research and Conservation, a nonprofit organization. The historians expect to find one shipwreck near Third and Fourth Avenue behind The Forum, and another shipwreck of a boat called “Dixie” near Coosa Country Club. The remains of 19th-century wharves also are located around the banks of the rivers as well. Divers from MARC will assist Burns on the dive through the week and student divers will be there on the weekend. “Saturday and Sunday we’ll have a gaggle of divers,” Burns said.
__________________________________________________ _______________
“In the mean time General Jeff. C. Davis had got possession of Rome with its forts, some eight or ten guns of heavy caliber, and its valuable mills and foundries.”
O.R. Vol. XXXVIII REPORTS, ETC.- MIL. DIV. OF THE MISS. (May, 1864)
GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 17.
Rome, Ga., November 10, 1864.
III. The defenses of Rome will be destroyed and the forts dismantled, under the supervision of Lieutenant William Ludlow, U. S. Engineer Corps. Captain Burnham, provost-marshal, aided by Captain Longstreth, of the pioneer corps, and the FIFTY-second Illinois Infantry, is hereby ordered of effectually destroy all the machinery in the foundries, mills, and factories, also to burn all bridges, foundries, mills, workshops, ware-houses, railroad depots, and other store-houses, convenient to the railroad, together with all the wagon-shops, tanneries, and other factories that may prove useful to the enemy, after which the FIFTY-second Illinois will clear the town of all soldiers, and destroy all barracks, tents, and Government property the command has not been able to remove, closing up the rear, reporting to General Rice at or near Kingston.
O.R. XXXIX Chapter LI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -UNION.