St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Frederica — Guns on the River
Fort Frederica National Monument
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016
1. Frederica — Guns on the River Marker
The Fort at Frederica has ”four bastions, a ditch palisaded, and a covered way [outer moat] defended by fifteen pieces of cannon.”
Samuel Augspourguer
Frederica engineer
1739
Cannon protected Frederica’s river approaches from enemy ships. The big guns were mounted behind the fort parapets and in batteries near the water’s edge. In 1742 cannon located downriver (ahead) prevented Spanish galleys from reaching the fort.
This corroded gun tube may have been part of Frederica’s original armament. Its wooden carriage has been reconstructed. Other cannon displayed nearby are about the same age, but were not here originally.
A smoothbore muzzle-loader like this could shoot a 12-pound ball one mile. The compact, garrison-type carriage, recoiled after each shot, then rolled back into firing position. A wooden wedge, or “quoin,” was used to set the aim higher or lower.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1742.
Location. 31° 13.425′ N, 81° 23.597′ W. Marker is on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frederica - Oglethorpe (a few steps from this marker); Frederica — The Kings Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Frederica — North Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederica - The Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederica — Tavernkeeper and Doctor (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederica — Keeper of the Kings Stores (about 400 feet away); Five Years at Frederica (about 400 feet away); Patrick and Priscilla Houstoun (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Simons Island.
Also see . . . Fort Frederica Historical Background. Fort Frederica combined a military installation with a settlement, the town of Frederica. Due to the Spanish threat only seventy-five miles away, General Oglethorpe took measures to fortify both, surrounding the entire forty-acre area with an outer wall. This consisted of an earthen wall called a rampart that gave protection to soldiers from enemy shot and shell, a dry moat and two
2. Marker detail: Embrasure Illustration
Cannon were mounted behind openings in the fort’s parapet called “embrasures.” The gun carriages rolled on wooden platforms.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016
3. Frederica — Guns on the River Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016
4. 12-pound, Smoothbore, Muzzle-loader Cannon
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
