Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Steam Gun

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 6, 2009

1. Steam Gun Marker

Inscription. Hilton Head Steamgun was the last of 13 produced - 8 land based and 5 ship borne. The 50 foot long, 15-inch diameter barrel propelled a 7 foot long, dynamite loaded projectile up to 3 .25 miles. Two steam engines powered an electric generator and two air compressors to feed air at 2,000 PSI through the dune to two sides of the gun. The Hilton Head gun was fired more than 100 times in late 1901 and early 1902. It was dissembled in 1902.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 32° 14.13′ N, 80° 40.656′ W. Marker is on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. Marker can be reached from Fort Walker Drive. Located near Circle at Catesby Lane, small park beachside, featuring the Steamgun ruins, at Port Royal Plantation -Secure Gated Community- Restricted entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hilton Head Island SC 29928, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Two Gallant Gentlemen from South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Port Royal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hilton Head (about 300 feet away); Fort Walker (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Robbers Row" (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dawn of Freedom: Mitchelville

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); The Battle of Port Royal / William Fitzhugh and Black Sailors in the Union Navy (approx. 0.6 miles away); Black Troops on Hilton Head (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hilton Head Island.

Regarding Steam Gun. Steam Gun - Located at the end of Fort Walker Drive are the remnants of a large cannon that was operated by pressurized air. It was built at the beginning of the century to defend against a possible coastal attack. In a park-like setting, parts of the turret cannon, steam piping and boiler rooms are visible.

Also see . . . The Zalinski Dynamite Gun. a test battery , two 15-inch guns and the 8-inch prototype at Fort Hancock , New Jersey in 1894. Second battery of three 15-inch guns, at San Francisco to guard the Golden Gate in 1898. In 1901, two-one gun batteries at Hilton Head, South Carolina and Fishers Island, New York . All four batteries were sold for scrap, in 1904, and the builders went out of business. (Submitted on March 3, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Steam Gun Marker at left, among remains of a support building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 6, 2009

2. Steam Gun Marker at left, among remains of a support building

Steam Gun ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

3. Steam Gun ruins

Steam Gun ruins, perhaps where the steam generators were located image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

4. Steam Gun ruins, perhaps where the steam generators were located

Steam Gun , perhaps were air compressors were housed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 6, 2009

5. Steam Gun , perhaps were air compressors were housed

Steam Gun ruins, turret area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 6, 2009

6. Steam Gun ruins, turret area

the ruins of Battery Dynamite, a battery constructed to hold one of Edmund Zalinski's dynamite guns, from around 1901.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

7. Steam Gun ruins

Steam Gun , Port Royal Sound in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 6, 2009

8. Steam Gun , Port Royal Sound in background

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2009

9. Steam Gun ruins

the center of the gun station and the ribbed notches for the rotating turret.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 9,023 times since then and 366 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 3, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.