Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Intricate Gun Rooms
— Dry Tortugas National Park —
Photographed By Pete Skillman, November 20, 2023
1. Intricate Gun Rooms Marker
Inscription.
Intricate Gun Rooms. . Most of Fort Jefferson's heavy guns were mounted in intricately built casemates like this one. Notice the arched ceiling, which was designed to transfer the massive weight of brick and cannon on the upper tiers to the vertical piers. To build the arches, carpenters made wooden frames on which skilled masons laid brick and mortar., Notice, too, the embrasure or hole in the wall through which the gun crew could fire cannonballs at ships. Between firings, the iron Totten shutters, named for the fort's chief architect, Gen. Joseph G. Totten, closed automatically to protect cannon and crew from enemy fire., (caption) , The fort, designed to hold 420 guns on three levels, was never fully armed. Whitewashed walls and ceilings brightened casemate interiors. , Cannon pivot rail , Embrasure with replica Totten shutters
Most of Fort Jefferson's heavy guns were mounted in intricately built casemates like this one. Notice the arched ceiling, which was designed to transfer the massive weight of brick and cannon on the upper tiers to the vertical piers. To build the arches, carpenters made wooden frames on which skilled masons laid brick and mortar.
Notice, too, the embrasure or hole in the wall through which the gun crew could fire cannonballs at ships. Between firings, the iron Totten shutters—named for the fort's chief architect, Gen. Joseph G. Totten—closed automatically to protect cannon and crew from enemy fire.
(caption)
The fort, designed to hold 420 guns on three levels, was never fully armed. Whitewashed walls and ceilings brightened casemate interiors.
Cannon pivot rail
Embrasure with replica Totten shutters
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 24° 37.694′ N, 82° 52.354′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Makeshift Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker);
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photo1. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
