But unlike the Chesapeake estuaries, the waterways of the rice coast were generally too shallow for ocean-going vessels.

This caused a notable growth of seaports on the available harbors.

Of those in South Carolina, Charleston stood alone in the first rank, flanked by Georgetown and Beaufort.

In the lesser province of Georgia, Savannah found supplement in Darien and Sunbury.

The two leading ports were also the seats of government in their respective colonies.