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.

Inscription.
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. Marker 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 sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Load. Ready. Fire! (a few steps from this marker); Engineering Evolution (a few steps from this marker); Ironclad Killer (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital View (within shouting distance of this marker); Another Shot (within shouting distance of this marker); Reporting for Duty (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Forts for a New War (about 400 feet away); Welcome To Fort Foote (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Washington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “15-inch Rodman Smoothbore"

Also see . . . Fort Foote Park. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on April 15, 2019.)

Rodman smoothbore at Battery Rodgers, Alexandria, Virginia, 1864 image. Click for full size.

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]

15-inch Rodman Smoothbore<br>No. 1<br>49392 lb<br>T.J.R.<br>1863 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 18, 2011

3. 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore
No. 1
49392 lb
T.J.R.
1863

"T.J.R" are the initials of Thomas J. Rodman.

Pit, Flask, Mold, Core-Barrel & Water Pipe image. Click for full size.

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.

Major Thomas J. Rodman image. Click for full size.

5. Major Thomas J. Rodman

15-inch Rodman Smoothbore image. Click for full size.

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

15-Inch Rodman Range Map image. Click for full size.

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

Loading a 15-inch Rodman Smoothbore image. Click for full size.

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 434 times since then and 52 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.