Braving Gusty Winds, Castle Guardians Complete Difficult Three Part Mission

March 21, 2026

Charleston, S.C. ─ A team of Castle Guardians bravely traversed Charleston Harbor several times early Saturday Morning, March 21 on a mission to work on the new dock at Castle Pinckney, construction of which began earlier this month; to maintain the historic site; and to work on its security system.

The three part mission, which began at 7:45 a.m. and ended at 12:30 p.m., was designed to take advantage of good weather before the arrival of coastal birds during the next couple of months.

Castle Guardian Boat Captains Yale Huett, Richard Moore and Tommy Salter used three boats to transport other Castle Guardians to and from the fort, including: Matthew Locke, Eric Caldwell, Christian Kolion, Stuart Morgan, Bill Pruitt, Mike Sarvis, Craig Stevenson and Frank Tucker. Another Castle Guardian, Christian Kolion, captained a boat from Mt. Pleasant to join everyone at the fort.

“In large part, we accomplished our mission,” said Matthew Locke, who led the team.  “We conducted a routine check of the site’s current security system and it went well.  We then completed a survey of the Castle Pinckney on Shute’s Folly to upgrade the fort’s surveillance system, and selected a location to install new solar panels to power the system.”

The upgraded security system is designed to improve security inside Castle Pinckney as well as the dock once it is completed, and coverage of much of the harbor, including most of Shute’s Folly, and of course, whatever flag is flying over the fort.

“Thanks to our Castle Guardian volunteers,” Locke said, “we also cut and trimmed back about 60 percent of the grass and small bushes inside the fort and around its walls that had grown during winter.”

It was a beautiful day, but gusty winds made work a bit difficult.

Castle Guardians, transported by Boat Captains Moore and Salter, still managed to transport 20 stringers (marine-grade pieces of lumber, each measuring about three-feet in width and 20 feet in length) from James Island to Castle Pinckney so construction workers could frame the dock during the next several weeks.

“With regards to the dock, I’m no expert,” Locke admitted.  “But now that the pilings have been installed for the dock’s main boardwalk and the framing has been started, I believe ─ weather permitting ─ we’ll be able to complete the main boardwalk’s construction within the next few weeks.

“To complete the dock, we’ll install a gangway to connect the boardwalk to the fort,” Locke explained.  “We’ll also install pilings for a detachable three-section floating dock along the main boardwalk so the floating sections can be removed and stored safely and security on land before rough weather, especially before hurricanes.  Hopefully, again, weather permitting, I believe we’ll be able to complete the dock’s construction within the next few months.”

The CPHPS, working with scientists, is working hard to assess the condition of Castle Pinckney, and to determine the best way to conserve and protect the section of the fort’s brick and mortar wall and rampart that is located directly beneath where the dock’s connection to the fort, the gangway, which will be added soon.

The new dock, which is being constructed near the location where the previous one was once located, is designed to not touch the fort’s fragile outer brick walls.

The CPHPS recognized the importance of preserving the fort’s structural and historical integrity, according to Locke.  So, working with marine engineers and scientists, the Society decided when designing the dock that it was important to construct one whose boardwalk, pilings and gangway would not interfere structurally with the fort.

The partially completed dock, which is already an impressive addition to Castle Pinckney, has made the relatively small historic fort a bit more noticeable in the center of Charleston Harbor.

When completed, the dock’s 6 foot wide and 10 foot high boardwalk will be about 150 feet long.  The 10 feet wide and 30 feet long dock will provide enough space for volunteers and scientists to embark and disembark, and load and unload equipment.

Signage will be installed at the dock to mark the site as private property.  Independently-powered lighting, 24 hour surveillance will be provided, and other security measures will taken to prohibit trespassers.

“Once again, I want to thank our dedicated Castle Guardians and boat captains who volunteered this past Saturday,” Locke said.  “Their amazing hard work is greatly appreciated.”