Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ironclad Killer

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

1. Ironclad Killer Marker

Inscription. In 1844, a young officer, Thomas Jackson Rodman, transformed the design of iron guns. He created a cannon barrel that cooled from the inside, so the gun could shoot farther without exploding. This state-of-the-art Rodman Gun could hurl a 450-pound (204-kg) ball of iron up to three miles (5 km) away. The artillery could punch through the 10 inch (25 cm) hull of an ironclad Confederate ship.

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

Location. 38° 46.06′ N, 77° 1.735′ W. Marker is in Fort Washington, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker can be reached from Fort Foote Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Washington MD 20744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Another Shot (within shouting distance of this marker); Engineering Evolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Load. Ready. Fire! (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital View (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reporting for Duty (about 300 feet away); New Forts for a New War (about 400 feet away); Welcome To Fort Foote (about 600 feet away); A Fine Improvable Marsh (approx. one mile away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Washington.

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Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

2. Ironclad Killer Marker

Firing the 15 inch Rodman Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

3. Firing the 15 inch Rodman Gun

Close-up of image on marker

15 inch Cannonball image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

4. 15 inch Cannonball

Feel the mass of a 15-inch (35-cm) cannon ball. Each ball had two ears (dimples) for the shell hook to lift it.

15 inch Rodman Gun<br>49618 lbs<br>CC 1864 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

5. 15 inch Rodman Gun
49618 lbs
CC 1864

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

6. 15 inch Rodman Gun
49618 lbs
CC 1864

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.