Near Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
15-inch Rodman Smoothbore
Civil War Defenses of Washington
Photographed by Allen C. Browne
1. 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore Marker
This 2019 replacement marker has substantially the same text as the original.
Monumental in size, these two immense guns stood as sentinels ready to repel an attack on the nation's capital. With their extended range and commanding location above the river, they were the key defensive feature of the fort. Because of their formidable weight, the guns have remained on this site since their installation in 1864. They were re-mounted on new carriages in the 1980s.
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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 46.076′ N, 77° 1.759′ W. Marker was near Fort Washington, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It could be reached from the intersection of Fort Foote Road and Jessica Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located inside the Fort Foote Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8915 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington MD 20744, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore (has been replaced with this marker); Northwest Bastion (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Defenses of Washington (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); King's Depression Carriage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Fort Foote (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Fort Foote (was about 700 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaced an older one at this location also
Photographed by Andrew J. Russell, May 18, 1864
2. Rodman smoothbore at Battery Rodgers, Alexandria, Virginia, 1864
Innovative technology in iron gun-casting made it possible to produce these 49,000-pounder guns. They were named after Brigadier General Thomas J. Rodman, who perfected this new technology shortly before the Civil War.
Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-84372]
Also see . . . Fort Foote Park. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on April 15, 2019.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 18, 2011
3. 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore
No. 1
49392 lb
T.J.R.
1863
No. 1
49392 lb
T.J.R.
1863
"T.J.R" are the initials of Thomas J. Rodman.
Harper's Weekly (via the Internet Archive), 1862
4. Pit, Flask, Mold, Core-Barrel & Water Pipe
This illustration of Rodman's innovative method of casting cannon barrels appeared in Harper's Weekly, Aug. 23, 1862.
5. Major Thomas J. Rodman
Photographed by Allen C. Browne
6. 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore
To propel the massive 400-pound cannonball, the 15-inch Rodman required a powder charge which exceeded 40 pounds. A well organized crew of fifteen men could load, aim, and fire the 15-inch Rodman every 3 minutes.Close-up of image on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne
7. 15-Inch Rodman Range Map
With a range of three miles the Rodman guns at Fort Foote could easily defend the water approach to Washington.Close-up of map on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne
8. Loading a 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore
Detail from former marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on December 1, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on April 5, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on April 15, 2019. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 15, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7. submitted on April 5, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on September 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
