Site of Colonial Shipyard

Site of Colonial Shipyard is a Georgia historical marker in Chatham County, dedicated 1958.

On Shipyard Road, east of Ferguson Road in Savannah.

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Approximately 300 yards northeast of this marker there was located in colonial days a shipyard where at least one vessel capable of engaging in overseas trade was built. The creek on which it stood is known as Shipyard Creek. The site of the shipyard was on the Beaulieu (or Bewlie) plantation of John Morel and was favorable for shipbuilding activities because of its accessibility to the Vernon River and the plentiful supply of live oak in the vicinity. Here, in December, 1774, Daniel Giroud, shipbuilder, constructed the brig "Bewlie," a vessel of 200 tons burden. In reporting the launching of the ship the "Georgia Gazette" stated that "those who are judges say she is well built and of the best materials, particularly her frame." During the American Revolution Giroud assisted in the construction of several Continental row galleys which saw service in Georgia waters.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Historical maps covering this location

1764 · Carte de la Nouvelle Georgie (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1776 · A General Map of the Southern British Colonies, in America. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1776 · A general map of the southern British colonies in America comprehending North and South… (Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library)
1778 · Parte Orientale della Florida, della Giorgia, e Carolina Meridionale. Fogl. XI (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1816 · Georgia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

Parte Orientale della Florida, della Giorgia, e Carolina Meridionale. Fogl. XI, 1778, covering the location of Site of Colonial Shipyard, with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Parte Orientale della Florida, della Giorgia, e Carolina Meridionale. Fogl. XI, 1778, covering this location. David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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What that marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years there.

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This historical marker is part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program and was erected by the Georgia Historical Commission. Marker texts and locations come from the Society's own marker database.

Site of Colonial Shipyard

Historical maps covering this location

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