During July 2006, students and staff of the Program in Maritime Archaeology at Flinders University conducted an archaeological survey near American River, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, to attempt to locate the US schooner Independence construction site. The purpose of this report is to summarize the methodology and findings of these investigations. Based on historical documentation, the construction site was suspected to be located along the present day shore line near American River (Figure 16). Although the survey did not find the exact location for the Independence construction site, it did establish three target areas (Figure 17) that would have been most ideal for this activity in the survey area: the Independence Point Site (Site A), the American River Township Site (Site B) and the Fish Cannery Track Site (Site C). These locations were based on several assumptions about characteristics of shipbuilding sites: closeness to channel, relationship to flat or gently sloping land for ease of launching, closeness to fresh water, protection from the elements, and presence of early 19th century cultural material. In addition to attempting to locate the site of construction, this research sought to address two central questions: what factors, such as environmental resources, influenced Captain Pendleton to choose American River as a location to construct Independence, and what were the different types of timbers available to the shipbuilders of Independence? As part of answering these questions, the field crew initiated a vegetation survey to sample prominent timber specimens. This archaeological survey provided a valuable source of information on several levels. The survey represented the first archaeological survey conducted in the American River area, and this cultural assessment provides a baseline for future studies and management. This study was also one of the first studies to attempt to locate such an ephemeral shipbuilding site. The knowledge gained from the investigation could provide a foundation for similar studies that target short occupation ship construction sites.