The 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Drewry’s Bluff
8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Darling on Drewry’s Bluff on the James River in Virginia
An 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed at Fort Darling at Drewry's Bluff on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. The Columbiad, Number 66, was cast at Bellona Foundry in 1862. The Columbiad, mounted on the commanding position overlooking the James, represents the battery which fought USS Galena and USS Monitor on May 15th, 1862.
The 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad closely copies the US Army 8-Inch Rodman in shape, however Confederate foundries did not adopt Captain Rodman’s hollow casting technique for their production. Confederate Columbiads generally have long trunnions for use with wooden carriages whereas their Federal counterparts have short trunnions for use on iron carriages.
8-Inch Confederate Columbiad Number 66 at Drewry’s Bluff
Muzzle of 8-Inch Columbiad Number 66 at Drewry’s Bluff
Right Trunnion of 8-Inch Columbiad Number 66 at Drewry’s Bluff. Initials stand for Bellona Foundry, Junius L. Archer (the proprietor)
Left trunnion of 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad Number 66 showing the date of manufacture, 1862.
Elevation mechanisms at the breech of the 8-Inch Columbiad
8-Inch Columbiad at Drewry’s Bluff
8-Inch Columbiad at Drewry’s Bluff
View of the James River from Drewry’s Bluff
The James River viewed from Drewry’s Bluff
1865 Photo of a 10-Inch Columbiad mounted at Fort Darling on Drewry’s Bluff. Library of Congress photo: https://www.loc.gov/item/2018671168/
Cover Illustration of the May 31st, 1862 edition of Harper’s Weekly showing the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff
Side of USS Galena showing battle damage received in the engagement at Drewry’s Bluff of May 15th, 1862. Note the rifle projectile sticking out of the side of the ship just above the water line. Library of Congress Photo: https://www.loc.gov/item/2018667422/
Battle of Drewry’s Bluff - May 15th, 1862
Report of Commander Rodgers, U. S. Navy , commanding U. S. S. Galena.
U.S. S. GALENA,
Off City Point, James River , May 16, 1862.
SIR : I have the honor to report that this vessel, the Aroostook, the Monitor, and Port Royal, with the Naugatuck, moved up the river, getting aground several times, but meeting no artificial impediments, until we arrived at Ward's Bluff, about 8 miles from Richmond , where we encountered a heavy battery and two separate barriers , formed of spiles and steamboats and sail vessels. The pilots both say that they saw the Jamestown and Yorktown among the number. The banks of the river we found lined with rifle pits, from which sharpshooters annoyed the men at the guns. These would hinder the removal of obstructions unless driven away by a land force.
The Galena ran within about 600 yards of the battery , as near the spiles as it was deemed proper to go , let go her anchor , and with a spring swung across the stream, not more than twice as wide as the ship is long; then, at 7:45 a. m., opened fire upon the battery . The wooden vessels, as directed , anchored about 1,300 yards below. The Monitor anchored near, and at 9 o'clock she passed just above the Galena, but found her guns could not be elevated enough to reach the battery . She then dropped a little below us and made her shots effective.
At 11:05 the Galena had expended nearly all her ammunition , and I made signal to discontinue the action.
We had but six Parrott charges and not a single filled 9-inch shell. We had 13 men killed and 11 wounded.
The rifled 100-pounder Parrott of the Naugatuck burst, half of the part abaft the trunnions going overboard. She is therefore disabled.
The Galena and Monitor can , with a supply of ammunition, silence the battery at Harden's Bluff.
The result of our experiment with the Galena I enclose. We demonstrated that she is not shot-proof; balls came through, and many men were killed with fragments of her own iron. One fairly penetrated just above the water line and exploded in the steerage. The greater part of the balls, however, at the water line, after breaking the iron, stuck in the wood. The port side is much injured; knees, timbers, and planks started . No shot penetrated the spar deck, but in three places are large holes, one of them a yard long and about 8 inches wide, made by a shot which, in glancing, completely broke through the deck, killing several men with fragments of the deck plating.
The Galena should be repaired before sending her to sea . I would suggest the Washington navy yard, since so many people there have an interest in iron plating, and she so well shows the effect of various shot.
No gun is disabled, but we need ammunition.
On James River an army can be landed within 10 miles of Richmond on either bank.
We command City Point, and are ready to cooperate with a land force in an advance upon Petersburg. In going up James River above this point it will be desirable to protect the crew from sharpshooters upon the river; they annoyed us.
To command important points and prevent the reoccupation of old Fort Powhatan at Hood's, more vessels are needed. Some should continually pass up and down the river to prevent the erection of new batteries.
I can not too highly commend the cool courage of the officers and crew. Lieutenant Newman, the executive officer, was conspicuous for his gallant and effective services. Mr. Washburn, acting master, behaved admirably. These are selected amongst the number.
The Aroostook, Port Royal, and Naugatuck took the stations previously assigned them, and did everything which was possible; the Monitor could not have done better. The barrier is such that vessels of the enemy, even if they had any, probably can not pass out; ours can not pass in.
I have the honor to be , your obedient servant,
JOHN RODGERS,
Commander, U. S. Navy.
Spar Deck of USS Galena showing damage received in the May 15th, 1862 engagement at Drewry’s Bluff. Library of Congress Photo: https://www.loc.gov/item/2008680442/
8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Darling on Drewry’s Bluff on the James River in Virginia
1865 Photo showing what I believe to be a 10-Inch Columbiad mounted near where the 8-Inch Columbiad at Fort Darling at Drewry’s Bluff is in the present day. Library of Congress Photo: https://www.loc.gov/item/2018671979/
