Two cannon were discovered on State land off the coast of Oregon
near Arch Cape in Clatsop County in mid February, 2008. Afraid
that the cannon might be stolen or suffer from future storm
damage (e.g., uncovered by tide and left to deteriorate through
exposure to the elements), Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department personnel hauled one of the cannon partially up the
beach on February 18 so that both cannon could be easily
retrieved the following day. State law (ORS 390.235) dictates
that a state archaeological permit is needed to remove any
artifacts from an archaeological site on public lands in Oregon.
The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office was contacted and
asked to assist in the recovery efforts since public attention
had attracted many people to the beach and OPRD staff was afraid
that the cannon or associated debris from an earlier shipwreck
may disappear before or during the recovery efforts. State
Archaeologist, Dennis Griffin, joined Nehalem Bay State Park
staff on the afternoon of February 1