Most of the foundry's big guns have since become scrap. No doubt some were melted down during World War II.
I did see a photo of a 20-inch Rodman gun at the Centennial Exposition in 1876.
I'm wondering if the 20-inch Rodman gun is still around?
--Old secesh
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label 20-inch Rodman cannon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 20-inch Rodman cannon. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Rodman's 20-Inch Cannon Cast at Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 2
"This gun is said to be the largest in the world, and to Pittsburgh belongs the honor of adding such a heavy piece of ordnance to the science of war."
The gun will remain in the pit where it was cast for the cooling process which expected to last between 10 days to two weeks.
It is not known where it will be sent, possibly to the New York City defenses.
The day of casting was secret, but a large number of ladies, scientific and military were in attendance. Also, there was a Captain Goodenough of the Royal Navy there.
We've Got a Bigger Gun. --Old Secesh
The gun will remain in the pit where it was cast for the cooling process which expected to last between 10 days to two weeks.
It is not known where it will be sent, possibly to the New York City defenses.
The day of casting was secret, but a large number of ladies, scientific and military were in attendance. Also, there was a Captain Goodenough of the Royal Navy there.
We've Got a Bigger Gun. --Old Secesh
Rodman's 20-inch Cannon Cast at Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 1
From the february 21, 1864 New York Times (from the February 12, 1864, Pittsburgh Chronicle "A Twenty-Inch Gun.; Casting at the Fort Pitt Foundry."
"One of the most important events in the history of the rebellion, and which inaugurates a new era in the manufacture of heavy guns, took place on Thursday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, at the Fort Pitt Works. A gun with calibre of 20 inches diameter, was cast on the Rodman principle, in some 22 minutes from the time of tapping the furnaces.."
Some 170,000 pounds (85 tons) of metal was used and the metal was melted in three furnaces and simultaneously tapped. It is 20 feet 4 inches long and has a maximum diameter of 5 feet 3 inches. It is estimated the the shot fired from it will be a half ton sphere or a 750-pound shell with a powder charge estimated at between 80-100 pounds.
A Big One. --Old Secesh
"One of the most important events in the history of the rebellion, and which inaugurates a new era in the manufacture of heavy guns, took place on Thursday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, at the Fort Pitt Works. A gun with calibre of 20 inches diameter, was cast on the Rodman principle, in some 22 minutes from the time of tapping the furnaces.."
Some 170,000 pounds (85 tons) of metal was used and the metal was melted in three furnaces and simultaneously tapped. It is 20 feet 4 inches long and has a maximum diameter of 5 feet 3 inches. It is estimated the the shot fired from it will be a half ton sphere or a 750-pound shell with a powder charge estimated at between 80-100 pounds.
A Big One. --Old Secesh
Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 3: Beezlebub, Satan and Lucifer
Of course, the Civil War resulted in a huge demand for cannons and the Fort Pitt Foundry was there to supply them and make money.
At peak wartime production, the foundry employed nearly 300 men and accounted for some 60% of Union cannons. Partly through Fort Pitt Foundry's production, Pittsburgh became known as "The Arsenal of the Union."
Then, there was that huge 20-inch Rodman gun.
After the war, the foundry continued casting big guns, including a 20-inch Rodman smoothbore named "Beelzebub" for the Navy and a several huge cannons for the Army nicknamed "Satan" and "Lucifer."
In 1878, Fort Pitt Foundry was sold and shut down.
There is a replica of a Rodman gun in the Heinz History Center.
The Devil You Say. --Old Secesh
At peak wartime production, the foundry employed nearly 300 men and accounted for some 60% of Union cannons. Partly through Fort Pitt Foundry's production, Pittsburgh became known as "The Arsenal of the Union."
Then, there was that huge 20-inch Rodman gun.
After the war, the foundry continued casting big guns, including a 20-inch Rodman smoothbore named "Beelzebub" for the Navy and a several huge cannons for the Army nicknamed "Satan" and "Lucifer."
In 1878, Fort Pitt Foundry was sold and shut down.
There is a replica of a Rodman gun in the Heinz History Center.
The Devil You Say. --Old Secesh
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 2: Lincoln Wants a Super Gun
Fort Pitt was just the foundry to supply the huge demand for cannons. It was ideally situated at the head of the Ohio River which made for easy shipment of both the materials needed to make them, but the finished product as well. Plus, there was plenty of railroad connections.
In 1864, President Lincoln wanted a super gun that could sink an enemy ship with just a single shot. Major Thomas Jackson Rodman oversaw the casting of a 60 ton, 20-inch caliber cannon capable of hurling a half ton iron projectile nearly five miles.
It took dozens of oxen to haul the monster from the foundry and railroad trestles had to be reinforced to allow the special flat cars that were made to transport it.
--Old Secesh
In 1864, President Lincoln wanted a super gun that could sink an enemy ship with just a single shot. Major Thomas Jackson Rodman oversaw the casting of a 60 ton, 20-inch caliber cannon capable of hurling a half ton iron projectile nearly five miles.
It took dozens of oxen to haul the monster from the foundry and railroad trestles had to be reinforced to allow the special flat cars that were made to transport it.
--Old Secesh
Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 1: Maker of the Union's Cannons
From the May 5, 2011, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Fort Pitt Foundry."
This continues with the thread that started with John Peter of McHenry County, Illinois, and then went to the 88th Illinois, Francis T. Sherman, Alexander McClurg and now back to the Fort Pitt Foundry.
Fort Pitt Foundry was known as the manufacturer of cannons, and especially the really, really big ones,. including the behemoth 20-inch Rodman once cast there.
The foundry provided weapons for U.S. troops in three wars: War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War. It was established by Joseph McClurg in 1804 at the corner of Fifth Aveue and Smithfield Street and later moved to the Strip District at 12th and Etna, just across the street from what is now the Heinz History Center.
Of course, wars create a huge demand for cannons, and the Civil War, being the biggest war the young country was yet in, meant that a lot were needed.
--Old Secesh
This continues with the thread that started with John Peter of McHenry County, Illinois, and then went to the 88th Illinois, Francis T. Sherman, Alexander McClurg and now back to the Fort Pitt Foundry.
Fort Pitt Foundry was known as the manufacturer of cannons, and especially the really, really big ones,. including the behemoth 20-inch Rodman once cast there.
The foundry provided weapons for U.S. troops in three wars: War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War. It was established by Joseph McClurg in 1804 at the corner of Fifth Aveue and Smithfield Street and later moved to the Strip District at 12th and Etna, just across the street from what is now the Heinz History Center.
Of course, wars create a huge demand for cannons, and the Civil War, being the biggest war the young country was yet in, meant that a lot were needed.
--Old Secesh
Friday, May 29, 2015
The McClurgs and the Fort Pitt Foundry
From Wikipedia.
The Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1804 by Joseph McClurg and was an early producer of cannons for the U.S. military. They manufactured the cannonballs used by Oliver Hazard Perry in the famed Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Joseph McClurg was Alexander C. McClurg of the 88th Illinois.
The foundry was best-known for its manufacture of large cannons. And one of the largest of those was a 20-inch Rodman gun.
The foundry closed after the Civil War
One of Joseph McClurg's sons was Joseph Washing McClurg who became governor of Missouri after the war. Another son was Alexander "Alex" McClurg, Sr., the father of Alexander C. McClurg.
--Old Secesh
The Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1804 by Joseph McClurg and was an early producer of cannons for the U.S. military. They manufactured the cannonballs used by Oliver Hazard Perry in the famed Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Joseph McClurg was Alexander C. McClurg of the 88th Illinois.
The foundry was best-known for its manufacture of large cannons. And one of the largest of those was a 20-inch Rodman gun.
The foundry closed after the Civil War
One of Joseph McClurg's sons was Joseph Washing McClurg who became governor of Missouri after the war. Another son was Alexander "Alex" McClurg, Sr., the father of Alexander C. McClurg.
--Old Secesh
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