Workers Recovered 19 Cannons From Savannah River

The Revolutionary War artifacts were discovered during a harbor expansion project that finished in 2022.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Historical

Screen-print poster illustration of a weathered iron cannon resting on a timber dock, capturing the historical discovery in Savannah. — Archaeologists recovered 19 British cannons from the Savannah River, providing new insights into the 1779 Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Archaeologists and construction workers recovered 19 British cannons from the Savannah River between 2021 and 2022. The weapons were uncovered during a 40-mile harbor deepening project near Old Fort Jackson.

Why it matters

The cannons provide a direct link to the 1779 Siege of Savannah, when British forces scuttled ships to create underwater obstacles against the French fleet. These artifacts offer new insights into the military tactics employed during the Revolutionary War.

Each of the 19 recovered cannons weighs more than 1,000 pounds. The current exhibition at the Savannah History Museum features 17 fully restored cannons and two others displayed with original sediment.

The players

Savannah History Museum

This institution preserves local heritage and currently hosts the Loyalists & Liberty exhibition.

Texas A&M University

This university conducted the restoration process for the 17 cannons.

The details

Workers utilized a clamshell dredger to remove riverbed mud, while sonar technology helped experts locate the items. Texas A&M University performed the restoration work, and radiocarbon testing on wooden stoppers confirmed the artifacts date to the late 1700s.

1779: British forces scuttled ships in the Savannah River during the Siege of Savannah.
2021: The recovery process began following the discovery of the first cannon.
2022: The recovery project concluded with a total of 19 cannons removed.
July 2, 2026: The Loyalists & Liberty exhibition opened at the Savannah History Museum.

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Culture Shift

The recovery of these cannons highlights a shift toward prioritizing maritime archaeology during large-scale infrastructure projects. This effort preserves physical links to the 1779 Siege of Savannah, moving these artifacts from forgotten river obstacles into the public record.

Residents and visitors in Savannah can now view these rare Revolutionary War artifacts at the city museum. The display allows the public to see military hardware that has remained underwater for nearly 250 years.

The takeaway

The discovery serves as a reminder of how massive infrastructure projects can accidentally surface significant historical secrets. Observers can implement this insight by supporting local museums that curate such unexpected findings for future generations.