24-pounder Coehorn mortar and Napoleon 12-pounder gun, displayed in ground-floor casemate, Fort Point, San Francisco, USA
An information board at Fort Point reads: 'Fort Point is the only brick fort on the West Coast of the United States. Built by the United States Army between 1853 and 1861, it defended the San Francisco harbor against invasion by foreign powers. This fort is a classic example of early 19th century coastal fortifications. The Civil War broke out shortly after the fort's completion. Advances in technology during the war, such as rifled artillery and iron-clad ships, made it less effective as a defense. Still, it defended the harbor another thirty years before the fort's cannons were removed in the 1890s. In the 1930s engineers used Fort Point as their Headquarters when building the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, during World War 2, it defended the harbor against enemy submarines. In 1970 Congress made Fort Point a National Historic Site, part of the National Park System.' A number of 19th century artillery pieces are displayed at the fort. In the foreground stands a US 24-Pounder (6-inch) 'Coehorn' mortar Model 1841. This mortar is a reproduction of a pre-Civil War weapon, mounted on the rooftop barbette tiers of coastal fortifications, such as Fort Point. In the background stands a Civil War era, smooth bore, Napoleon 12-pounder field cannon.
Size: 2376px × 3565px
Location: Mortar and Napoleon Gun, Fort Point, Marine Drive, Golden Gate, San Francisco, California, USA
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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