Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Deadly Crossfire

Fort Jefferson

— Dry Tortugas National Park —

Deadly Crossfire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Deadly Crossfire Marker

Inscription. What do you do if enemy troops land on the beach and start across the moat? Catch them in a crossfire from howitzers in the bastions, which extend outward from the fort's six exterior walls. Howitzers could fire canisters that spewed golf ball-sized iron balls in a shotgun pattern along the exterior walls or up to 150 yards over the moat and beach into the sea. The fort's six bastions, technologically advanced for the time, were designed for 71 howitzers.

(caption)
If attacking soldiers somehow reached the moat, they would be caught in a deadly crossfire from howitzers in flanking bastions.

The 24-pound flank defense howitzer cannon could spray a devastating curtain of fire from each bastion.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 24° 37.677′ N, 82° 52.351′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. This marker is located within Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park. 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. Touring Fort Jefferson (here, next to this marker); Dr. Mudd's Cell

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Water in "Dry" Tortugas (a few steps from this marker); Building a City on the Sea (a few steps from this marker); Makeshift Living Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Gunrooms (within shouting distance of this marker); Intricate Gun Rooms (within shouting distance of this marker); Mariners Beware! (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . Dry Tortugas National Park. (Submitted on June 10, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 19, 2023

2. Deadly Crossfire Marker

Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

3. Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on June 10, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.