Chris Fonvielle, Jr., wrote the Wilmington (NC) Star-News, that at least a third of the Union projectiles fired at Fort Fisher during both attacks went over the fort and into the river to its west. He termed the bombardment as the largest waste of gunpowder in the annals of warfare.
He noted that Union ships concentrated their fire on the fort's flag, some to establish an effective range for their guns. The main flagstaff was so damaged that the flag couldn't be raised. The fort's commander, William Lamb, had others flags moved to the west end of the land defenses, hoping that the fleet would redirect its fire at that point. It worked.
Ten years ago, illegal relic hunters pulled up about 100 projectiles from the river before state officials stepped in and stopped them.
I have also heard that during the first attack, Union ships fired at any part of the fort they wanted, but were much more effective in the second attack when each was assigned a specific Confederate battery on which to concentrate. This effectively knocked most every gun out of action.
Watch Where You Swim in the River. --Old B-Runner
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