Wes Hall. AN UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF HERON'S COLONIAL BRIDGE CROSSING SITE OVER THE NORTHEAST CAPE FEAR RIVER NEAR CASTLE HAYNE, NORTH CAROLINA. (Under the direction of Gordon P. Watts and William N. Still) Department of History, November 1992. 

The goal of this survey was to confirm, by historical research and underwater archaeological techniques, the location of Heron's colonial bridge crossing. A secondary objective was to assess the archaeological potential of the river crossing by examining and documenting exposed cultural material and features related to the site on the river bottom. In order to understand the significance of the site, extensive background research was necessary. First, historical research into the early settlement and development of the Cape Fear region was conducted. Second, specific investigations were conducted on any person ever associated with the bridge crossing site. Third, to understand the archaeological potential of the site, research into the early wooden bridge construction was conducted. Finally, an archaeological site assessment was achieved by surveying the bottom surface at the crossing site using divers and remote sensing techniques.