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Golden Gate National Recreational Areahistoric photo of Fort Point
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Golden Gate National Recreational Area
Cannons of the American "Third System" Period
Rodman cannon at Fort Point
NPS photo
U.S. 10-inch Rodman gun, currently located at Fort Point.

U.S.10-inch Rodman gun, Model 1861

In 1867, the United States Army installed forty 10-inch Rodman cannons in the first and second tier casemates of Fort Point. These cannons were made using the newest technology, the Rodmand Process. In, 1893, soldiers fired a 17-gun salute to honor Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson during his visit to San Francisco. This may have been the last time Fort Point's Rodman cannon were ever fired.

 

 
photo of a 10-inch siege and garrison mortar
NPS photo
U.S. 10-inch siege and garrison mortar, currently located at Fort Point.

U.S. 10-inch siege & garrison mortar, model 1841

Although it is identical to weapons used in posts around the San Francisco Bay, this particular mortar was not used to defend the harbor. Fort Point mounted several mortars of this style on the barbette(top) tier.

 
photo of a 32-pounder
NPS photo
U.S. 32-pounder "James Banded" gun, currently located at Fort Point.

U.S. 32-pounder "James Banded" gun, Model 1829

This cannon is a replica of a pre-Civil War weapon that was mounted on the barbette tiers of seacoast fortifications. It is identical to weapons used in posts of the San Francisco Bay. Fort Point mounted eleven 32-pounder guns of this style on the barbette tier.

 
photo of 8-inch
NPS photo
U.S. 8-inch "Columbiad" gun, currently located at Fort Point.

U.S. 8-inch "Columbiad" gun, Model 1844

This cannon is a reproduction of pre-Civil War weapon which was mounted on the barbette tiers of seacoast fortifications. It is identical to weapons used in posts of the San Francisco Bay.

 
24-pounder
NPS photo
U.S. 24-pounder (6-inch) "Coehorn" mortar, currently located at Fort Point.

U.S. 24-pounder (6-inch) "Coehorn" mortar, Model 1841

This mortar is a reproduction of pre-Civil War weapon which was mounted on the barbette tiers of seacoast fortifications. It is identical to weapons used in posts of the San Francisco Bay.

Fossils clams from Alcatraz Island  

Did You Know?
Megafossils (fossils that can be observed with the unaided eye) are rare in Franciscan Complex rocks, but the rocks of “The Rock,” Alcatraz, have yielded significant examples.

Last Updated: April 24, 2007 at 14:25 EST