Near Pensacola Beach in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Massive Smoothbore
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, March 14, 2017
1. Massive Smoothbore Marker
A 15-inch Rodman like this gun – one of the largest smoothbore cannon ever developed – was installed here in 1868 but never fired in combat. Though gradually replaced by rifled, breech-loading artillery, 8-, 10- and 15-inch Rodmans remained the primary armament at Fort Pickens and other coastal forts until the late 1880s. The barrel of the 15-inch Rodman weighed 50,000 pounds. With a maximum effective range of three miles, it could fire a 15-inch diameter explosive shell weighing about 300 pounds or a solid 400-pound shot. The circular iron tracks allowed the cannon to be turned to fire in any direction.
[Caption:]
A gun crew at Fort Warren in Boston, Mass., loads a Rodman. The cannon, designed by Thomas Jefferson Rodman, was first cast in 1860.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 30° 19.641′ N, 87° 17.477′ W. Marker is near Pensacola Beach, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker can be reached from Fort Pickens Road, 9.8 miles west of Pensacola Beach Boulevard (Florida Road 399). Marker is in the west tower bastion of Fort Pickens. The fort is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort within a Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Converting a Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Apache Prisoners (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deadly Explosion (about 300 feet away); Swatting Mosquitoes (about 400 feet away); Dueling with Confederates (about 400 feet away); Beefing Up Defenses (about 500 feet away); Step Back in History (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola Beach.
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, March 14, 2017
2. Rodman smoothbore cannon
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
