"Sinker Wood" Attracting Treasure Hunters-- Part 2

Across the coast of the southeastern U.S., pine and cypress were harvested into the late 1800s.  Most of the logs were lashed together with metal "spike dogs" and floated or towed downstream to mills.

Along the way, many of these timbers would break loose and become embedded in the river bottoms. Rivers such as the Edisto are known as "black water" rivers because of the tannins and humic acid released from rotting vegetation.  This preserves the wood as oxygen is depleted that would normally cause decay.   They are now perfectly preserved and highly valued for milling into tables, mantles, flooring and bar surfaces.

For the past three years, Hewitt Emerson, 28, has been out looking for these logs, known as "sinker wood."

This particular piece of wood is a beauty, nearly 20 feet long and 15 inches in diameter.  It is known as "heart pine" and "hard pine."  Likely value of it is a couple thousand dollars.

Hard Work If You Can Get It.  --Cooter

"Sinker Wood" Attracting Treasure Hunters-- Part 1

From the July 27, 2014, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "'Sinker wood' draws rare breed of treasure hunter" by David Zucchino, L.A. Times.

Hewitt Emerson is diving from a barge into the murky black waters of the Edisto River in South Carolina and swimming down to the mucky river bottom, more than a dozen feet below.  On deck, his buddy Justin Gerrington keeps careful watch for alligators and water moccasins with his pistol close at hand.

These two men are searching for sunken treasure, but not the metallic kind.  Their treasure is hand-cut, century old logs dating back to the 1800s South Carolina milling industry  Emerson was trying to locate the butt end of a long-leaf pine log he'd spotted and these logs can command thousands of dollars for their intricately beautiful grains and long, straight cuts.

Not Just Any Old Piece of Wood.  --Cooter.