Historic Galivants Ferry

Little Pee Dee River

Named after the Pee Dee Indians (originally spelled Peedee), who once roamed its banks, the river originates in North Carolina and flows to the Atlantic Ocean at Georgetown S.C. Much of Horry County was covered with Long Leaf Pine Trees and after the Confederate War the sap from these trees was prized for its use in "Naval Stores". The term derives from the use of the pine sap which was boiled down to make pitch, tar and turpentine, The pitch and tar were used to protect the wooden hulled boats of the day from marine worms and borers and the turpentine was used for medicinal purposes and paint products. In the 1800's this was the major industry of the region. These products were originally transported by barges down the river to Georgetown. The River also served as a major transportation link prior to the advent of roads and bridges in the early 1900's. Later, steamboats carried farm produce as well as naval stores to the waiting ships. The river is made black from the amount of tannin or tannic acid in the water, a by-product of plant decay, mainly cypress trees.