Cape Fear Explorers uncover artillery pieces dating back to the Civil War in Carolina Beach

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The non-profit Cape Fear Explorers posted on Facebook Wednesday that team member Jacob Obriant uncovered several pieces of artillery dating back to the Civil War.

Among his finds were several bullets, a naval artillery fuse dated back to 1864, and a piece believed to be a sabot from a Parrott artillery shell.

The fuse still shows the date, a naval anchor, and the letters “ORD.D,” which according to the Cape Fear Explorers, stand for Ordnance Department.

During the Civil War, Parrott cannons were used aboard Union warships and in coastal battles that fired powerful artillery shells, with fuses designed to ignite the explosive charge inside.

The sabot was a metal band around the base of the shell that helped it grip the inside of the cannon barrel, allowing it to spin and travel more accurately.