This book recounts the historical and archaeological efforts to discover and recover three cannons wrapped up in the shroud of history and in the murky and meandering waters of the Great Pee Dee River near Florence, South Carolina. Jettisoned in the river by the crew of the Confederate gunboat Pee Dee in the waning days of the Civil War, these naval weapons inspired a lengthy, difficult, surprising, yet ultimately successful search for the three cannons. And, along the way the searchers explored the Mars Bluff Naval Yard, remains of the gunboat, and more importantly, forged together individuals and organizations founded on a mutual interest in uncovering and learning about the past naval activities at this forgotten and out-of-the-way theater during the Civil War.... "This book is a rich tapestry of historical documentation and archaeology filled with Indiana Jones style adventure and suspense (see the artillery shell defusing episode!), sleuthing and personal anecdotes. But most of all it is just a good read." --Christopher F. Amer State Underwater Archaeologist Maritime Research Division South Carolina Institute of Archaeology & Anthropology University of South Carolina "A tremendous journey of current day Americans whose paths crossed in time, strengthening family and creating lifelong friendships. Fueled by passion, intrigue and perseverance they forged forward to seek out, discover and document some of this great nation's history." --Dr. Robert Raniolo, MD. "This book recounts the historical and archaeological efforts to discover and recover three cannons wrapped up in the shroud of history and in the murky and meandering waters of the Great Pee Dee River near Florence, South Carolina. Jettisoned in the river by the crew of the Confederate gunboat Pee Dee in the waning days of the Civil War, these naval weapons inspired a lengthy, difficult, surprising, yet ultimately successful search for the three cannons. And, along the way the searchers explored the Mars Bluff Naval Yard, remains of the gunboat, and more importantly, forged together individuals and organizations founded on a mutual interest in uncovering and learning about the past naval activities at this forgotten and out-of-the-way theater during the Civil War. " --James D. Spirek, State Underwater Archaeologist, Maritime Research Division, and Dr. Jonathan M. Leader, State Archaeologist, Office of the State Archaeologist, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Ted Gragg began his first book, a novel, in 1994 as a weekly installment for a regional wildlife magazine. These installments led to the completion of Ted's first novel the widely acclaimed PUMA. This book spun the yarn of a contest of wills between a South Carolina game warden and a wily and cunning man-eating cougar that threatened a South Carolina low-country community. Ted was serving with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer then. The book was reviewed by the International Game Warden magazine for Conservation Law Enforcement. Gragg formed the C.S.S. Pee Dee Research and Recovery Team to locate the remains of the sunken Confederate warship Pee Dee. He and his team were licensed and commissioned by the University of South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology. The team spent over 20 years researching the missing warship and was triumphant in finding the lost Confederate Naval Yard on South Carolina's Great Pee Dee River and recovering the three massive cannon from the ship's armament along with a treasure trove of artifacts. In agreement with the Institute, the artifacts following conservation were offered to various state museums for display. When only a few were undertaken for conservation and public display by various institutions, Ted Gragg and Connie Gragg built the South Carolina Civil War Museum to house the bulk of the recovery project. This spawned the next two highly lauded books Guns of the Pee Dee The Search for the Warship CSS Pee Dee's Cannons released in 2011. It was followed in 2018 by Guns of the Pee Dee The Cannon Recovery. The author was recognized for his contribution to the South's history by recognition by both chambers of the South Carolina General Assembly. Other awards presented to Ted for this momentous work included recognition by the University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University, and Horry County. The Sons of Confederate Veterans South Carolina Division awarded Ted Gragg The Commendation Medal for the historic recovery. A novel spanning the years of the American Revolutionary War in South Carolina appeared next. Defiant Carolinians, the first book in a new historical series detailed the adventures of Bowie Avery and his wife Taggan during the years of America's war for independence.