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
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