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

Load. Ready. Fire!

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

1. Load. Ready. Fire! Marker

Inscription. Loading the 15-inch (38-cm) Rodman Gun required a team of over a dozen men working in sync on separate tasks. From start to finish, each shot took five minutes. A crew in the front rammed the powder charge down the barrel, followed by the 450-pound (204-kg) cannonball. The gunner called out orders for the crew below to adjust the aim: “Left. Stop. Elevate!” The wheels of the massive gun turned toward its target. Pulling a long lanyard ignited the friction primer. As the soldiers cleared for safety, a flame shot into the powder bag and ignited the powder.

The Rodman Guns were the largest weapons developed during the Civil War. The technological marvels in front of you are two of only 25 left of the 15-inch (38-cm) model.

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

Location. 38° 46.079′ N, 77° 1.768′ 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. Engineering Evolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital View (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironclad Killer (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Another Shot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reporting for Duty (about 400 feet away); New Forts for a New War (about 500 feet away); Welcome To Fort Foote (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Fine Improvable Marsh (approx. 0.9 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Washington.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

2. Load. Ready. Fire! Marker

15 inch Rodman Gun<br>49316 lbs<br>No.1 T.J.R. 1863 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

3. 15 inch Rodman Gun
49316 lbs
No.1 T.J.R. 1863

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

4. 15 inch Rodman Gun
49316 lbs
No.1 T.J.R. 1863

Two Technological Marvels image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

5. Two Technological Marvels

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 105 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.