Officials seek more access to SC historic site

PORT ROYAL, S.C. (AP) — Town leaders in Port Royal want more access to a site on the South Carolina coast dating back almost three centuries.

They told The Beaufort Gazette a boat landing would allow more people to visit Fort Frederick which is behind the gates of the Beaufort Naval Hospital.

The fort was the first fortification to guard Beaufort and was one of the largest tabby structures ever built. Tabby is a mix of lime, sand, water, and crushed oyster shells used in building in colonial times on the Southeast coast.

The 3-acre fort site was donated to the state in 1997 and includes 3-foot-high walls.

People can now tour the site through the Department of Natural Resources and beginning next month, the Naval Hospital will offer a tour each month.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com