Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Southern Firepower
This example was cast at Richmond's famous Tredegar Iron works in July 1862, and was mounted within the James River defenses near Drewry's Bluff. there it successfully guarded the river approaches to Richmond. It was capable of firing an 80-pound solid projectile over four miles.
(captions)
A captured Confederate Brooke Rifle along the James River.
The gun's designer, John Mercer Brooke, was an inventor and Chief of Confederate Naval Ordnance. Brooke helped develop many of the South's unique weapons, including submarines and torpedoes, and was instrumental in the design of the famous ironclad CSS Virginia. He also prepared the railroad-mounted artillery used at the battle of Savage's Station.
Erected by Richmond National Battlefield Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil . A significant historical month for this entry is July 1862.
Location. 37° 32.099′ N, 77° 26.736′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. Marker can be reached from Tredegar Street, 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. Located outside the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Overshot Waterwheel (a few steps from this marker); Gateway to the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Tredegar (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Reid Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Industrial Patterns (within shouting distance of this marker); Toledo 1000-ton Press (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gun Foundry (within shouting distance of this marker); Adapting Power (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Southern Firepower".
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2017, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2017, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.