Near Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Red-hot Shot

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

1. Red-hot Shot Marker

Inscription.
Hot shot furnaces were state of the art for defense systems of their day. Soldiers heated cannonballs in specially designed furnaces until they glowed red hot. They carefully loaded the hot shot into cannons and fired at wooden ships. Even after skipping on water, hot shot could start disastrous fires. Although Fort Pulaski had three furnaces, hot shot was never used here. Hot shot became obsolete with the widespread use of ironclad ships and exploding shells during the Civil War.

The foundations remain from two of Fort Pulaski's hot shot furnaces.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 32° 1.654′ N, 80° 53.403′ W. Marker is near Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Fort Pulaski Road, one mile north of U.S. 80. Marker is located at Fort Pulaski National Monument, inside the fort, near the northeast corner, overlooking the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hot Shot Furnace (here, next to this marker); This Memorial Commemorates The Act Of...

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(a few steps from this marker); Model 1859 Seacoast Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); Key to the South (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); 4.5 Inch Blakely Rifle (within shouting distance of this marker); Prepared for Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Brooke Rifle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Also see . . . Hot Shot Furnaces. National Park Service entry:
Once the furnace was hot a 24-pounder shot could be brought to a cherry red color in 25 minutes. When the balls were cherry red or white hot, they were taken from the furnace with iron forks and carried in ladles to the cannon. (Submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: More than 60 rounds could be heated at once image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: More than 60 rounds could be heated at once

Red-hot Shot Marker (<i>wide view • marker overlooks fort parade grounds to the southwest</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

3. Red-hot Shot Marker (wide view • marker overlooks fort parade grounds to the southwest)

Red-hot Shot Marker (<i>wide view • marker visible along walkway at right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

4. Red-hot Shot Marker (wide view • marker visible along walkway at right)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.