Sullivans Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman)
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. 10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman) Marker
The photo on the marker shows Rodman guns in place at Fort Pulaski.
Inscription.
10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman). . Advanced manufacturing and scientific design by General T.J. Rodman made this Columbiad the finest of large smoothbore armor crushers. 10 and 15 inch Rodmans were mounted in Fort Moultrie as part of a massive modernization program in the 1870's., Maximum Range: 5600 yards (5120 M)
Advanced manufacturing and scientific design by General T.J. Rodman made this Columbiad the finest of large smoothbore armor crushers. 10 and 15 inch Rodmans were mounted in Fort Moultrie as part of a massive modernization program in the 1870's.
Maximum Range: 5600 yards (5120 M)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil.
Location. 32° 45.534′ N, 79° 51.407′ W. Marker is on Sullivans Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is on Poe Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the cannon walk, stop eight, on the tour of Fort Moultrie. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sullivans Island SC 29482, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Rodman also introduced several new features to the breech of the gun. The "mushroom" cascabel is the groove around the rim of the breech. This allowed tackle to fit around the gun during handling, without stressing the traditional knob seen on other weapons of the time. The square holes in the breech face are sockets for a simple elevating system, replacing the ratchet system on older columbiads.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
3. 10-Inch Rodmans and Marker
Both Rodmans displayed here were cast by Fort Pitt Foundry, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On the left is registry number 156. On the right is number 182. Both were cast in 1863.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
4. 10-Inch Rodman
The Rodman gun featured gradual, sweeping lines, sometimes called a "continuous curve" in contemporary manuals. Rodman also used several revolutionary (for the time) casting processes. He required very precise blending of metal to meet a desired specific gravity before cooling. And after casting, cold water circulated through a tube in the bore, allowing the gun to cool from the inside out. This "pre-stressed" the gun and provided great strength to the weapon.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,022 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.