text: The Big Book of the Cape Fear River
  In 1993 and 1994, the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the N.C. Department of Archives & History joined with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to conduct a historical survey of the Cape Fear River. The scientists and historians involved were making a concerted effort to locate and identify the hundreds of historically relevent sites along North Carolina’s only river with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. The river’s history is impressive. From the days of the Spanish explorers, to hardy settlers from England, Barbados and New England, to the great planters, shipbuilders, soldiers and civilians whose lives and work forged the Cape Fear’s identity, the roughly thirty-eight mile stretch from Old Inlet to just above Wilmington has seen some of North Carolina’s richest history. This book, published here for general audiences for the first time, is a treasure trove of information about the fascinating history of North Carolina’s most historic river. With more than 250 historic photos and illustrations, as well as locator maps that identify where all of this great history happened, lovers of Cape Fear and North Carolina’s heritage will cherish this book!