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15 NC CWGT Moratock Iron Furnace Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Tatortott: FIVE YEARS and counting!
THANK YOU to all the cachers that have supported this trail - alas it is time to archive them and hopefully open area for a new cache.
I still have coins - just send me $5 for shipping and handling via PayPal. dianamfreeman@embarqmail.com

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Hidden : 3/1/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

150 Geocaches have been hidden to guide your exploration of NC as you traverse highways and by-ways across the state as you learn from those fighting and those keeping the home fires burning during the Civil War, 1861 - 1865.


Thirty caches are located in five different regions throughout NC. Instructions for sending the documentation are in the passport. Once all five regions are completed, you have earned a special NC Civil War trackable geocoin. Mail the passport to the address inside the passport – then your passport will be returned with your unique coin.

Most of the containers are the same - camouflaged 6 inch PVC tubes - this one is a micro due to location - the code word you need for your passport is inside the container on a laminated card and also taped on the container that holds the log sheet. Date your logbook and add your code word in the numbered area for the cache. As the containers may become over tightened, carry a TOTT to ease the opening process.

Passports will be available at the event, some Civil War Museums in NC, and via mail if you send me you address or you can download your passport here.

Mortock Iron Furnace: Rural Ironworks

During the Civil War, the Confederacy relied on small rural ironworks for the metals needed to manufacture cannons, swords, and firearms. The furnace here, owned by the Moratock Mining and Manufacturing Company, was typical of the charcoal blast furnaces operated throughout the North Carolina Piedmont Region. It utilized charcoal made from trees cut in the area and local iron-ore deposits to produce pig iron and cast iron. Early in April 1865, Union Gen. George Stoneman’s cavalry moved from Virginia south through Danbury and put the ironworks out of commission. Stoneman had expected to encounter resistance in Stokes County, but found none and soon learned that Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered his army in Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9.

From the information listed on the Historical Marker at the given coordinates and the information listed on “Moratock Iron Furnace: Rural Ironworks” at the second set of coordinates (N 36° 24.525',W 80° 11.804'), answer the following questions for the answers to find the final stage and sign the log book:

N36° 24.4B(C-A) + .012 W080° 1A.9CB + .001

Who built the smelting furnace?

If ANS = U.S. Confederacy, A = 0

If ANS = Nathaniel Moody, A = 1

If ANS = State of North Carolina, A = 2

If ANS = John Moratock, A = 3

There is one structure remaining. How many furnaces are on the singular structure?

If ANS = 1, B = 1*2

If ANS = 2, B = 2*2

If ANS = 3, B = 3*2

If ANS = 4, B = 4*2

When did the furnace close?

If ANS = It is still functional, C = 2

If ANS = 4/9/1865, C = 3

If ANS = 1870s, C = 4

If ANS = 1890s, C = 5

For more information and clarification about the above Moratock Iron Furnace Question click click here.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

3 gerrf - gura ybbx haqre gerr ebbg pbagnpg PB vs lbh unir na vffhr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)