Near Dover in Stewart County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

U.S. Gunboat Pittsburgh

February 14 1862

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, April 27, 2017

1. U.S. Gunboat Pittsburgh Marker

Inscription. "Still approaching with caution nearer and nearer to the fort, we continued firing shell, reducing the 15 second to the 5-second fuse until within 450 yards of the fort, up to which time, 4:15 p.m., we had expended 111 rounds... throwing 105 shells and 6 of grape..."

Lieutenant Egbert Thompson, U.S. Navy

Learning that the Pittsburgh was taking on water so fast that her pumps could not keep up, Thompson reversed engines. Sailors hauled the heavy bow cannon all the way back the the stern—to keep the gunboat afloat.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is February 14, 1862.

Location. 36° 29.72′ N, 87° 51.409′ W. Marker is near Dover, Tennessee, in Stewart County. It can be reached from Lock D Loop north of Lock D Road when traveling north. At Fort Donelson Tour Stop 4 (River Batteries), walk down around the artillery battery and the marker is on the river shore. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover TN 37058, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.A. Naval Forces, Western Division (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Gunboat Carondelet (a

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few steps from this marker); U.S. Gunboat Louisville (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Gunboat St. Louis (within shouting distance of this marker); Killed By a Loose Bolt (within shouting distance of this marker); See Me Take a Chimney! (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbiad vs. Carondelet (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconstructed Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Donelson Homepage. (Submitted on May 3, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.)
2. U.S. gunboat Pittsburg - Mississippi River Fleet. Library of Congress (Submitted on May 3, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.)

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 21, 2021

2. U.S. Gunboat Pittsburgh Marker

The marker is significantly weathered but still readable.

Photographed by Brandon Stahl, April 27, 2017

3. U.S. Gunboat Pittsburgh Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 3, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 3, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.