Sullivans Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

13-Inch Seacoast Mortar

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

1. 13-Inch Seacoast Mortar Marker

The marker displays a photo of mortars on Morris Island in 1865.

Inscription. Union artillerists on Morris Island used mortars similar to this nine ton giant to fire 218-pound explosive shells into the Confederate fortifications. In 1874, two batteries, consisting of two mortars each, were emplaced near the site of the present Fort Moultrie visitor center.

Maximum Range: 4200 yards (3840 M)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 32° 45.535′ N, 79° 51.416′ 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 10-Inch Confederate Columbiad (here, next to this marker); Civil War Defense of Sullivan's Island (here, next to this marker); Cannon Row (a few steps from this marker); 10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman) (a few steps from this marker); 10-Inch Columbiad, Rifled and Banded (a few steps from this marker); H.L. Hunley Disappears (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovering the Hunley (within

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shouting distance of this marker); The Hunley Recovery Project (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sullivans Island.

13-Inch Seacoast Mortar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

2. 13-Inch Seacoast Mortar and Marker

This particular mortar was cast in 1862 by Fort Pitt Foundry, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It weighted 17,196 pounds and was given the registry number 104.

Elevating System image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010

3. Elevating System

On the breech of the mortar is a row of lugs. Here a bolt passing through a loop on the carriage fixes between two lugs. In operation a leaver fitted into the loop allowed the gunners to elevate the mortar. The raised number 917 to the right is the weapon's foundry serial number.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher

4. 13-Inch Seacoast Mortar Marker

[Morris Island, S.C. Federal mortars aimed at Fort Sumter, with crews]
Courtesy of the Library of Congress

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 929 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 11, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.