US Army 300-Pounder Parrott Rifle at Fort Jefferson
One of Four 300-Pounder (10-Inch) Parrott Rifles is displayed at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park. Photo by Mark Baker.
Ten of the largest Civil War era artillery pieces are displayed in the massive, remote, and beautiful Fort Jefferson on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida. Many thanks to Mark Baker who shared these photos in comments and gave permission for their use.
The fort displays four 300-Pounder (10-Inch) Parrott Rifles and six 15-Inch Rodman guns. The photos shared show a 300-Pounder Parrott, a 15-Inch Rodman, and the shot furnace.
The 300-Pounder Parrott weighs about 27,000 pounds and the 15-Inch Rodman weighs about 50,000 pounds. The sheer weight and the difficulty of removing these huge guns from the barbette may have contributed to their survival.
By the way, the Flickr page of Fort Jefferson is definitely worth a look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/drytortugasnps/
300-Pounder Parrott at Fort Jefferson. Photo by Mark Baker. Note, I digitally removed two individuals from this photo.
Muzzle Face of 300-Pounder Parrott Number 25 at Fort Jefferson. Photo by Mark Baker.
15-Inch Rodman at Fort Jefferson. Photo by Mark Baker.
Shot furnace at Fort Jefferson. Photo by Mark Baker.
Shot furnace at Fort Jefferson. Photo by Mark Baker.
Fort Jefferson (National Park Service Photo)
