4.62-Inch Gorgas Rifle at Stony Creek, Virginia
4.62-Inch Gorgas Rifle at Stony Creek, Virginia
A 4.62-Inch Siege Rifle cast by Bellona Foundry (near Richmond) in 1862 may be found in Stony Creek, Virginia. Weight of 5,360 pounds is stamped on the breech. The right trunnion reads "BF / JLA" (Bellona Foundry / Junius L. Archer).
Olmstead et al. identifies this cannon as a "Gorgas Rifle", a type manufactured by both Tredegar and Bellona. This example is the only known survivor of the type. As noted in "The Big Guns", this rifle is nearly identical to the 4.62-Inch "Gibbon and Andrews" rifle found at Fort Branch except for the latter rifle being banded and therefore eight hundred pounds heavier. Line drawings found on page 54 show the primary difference being the trunnions placement being a bit different to account for the mass of the band.
The Gorgas Rifle at Stony Creek is mounted on a concrete pedestal with a bronze plaque which reads "This Confederate cannon found, removed from Stony Creek, and set upon this base by Charles Richard Williams, Engineer and Contractor who built the first double track railroad bridge during 1911 and 1912."
The recovery from the Creek - and the "dug out" area around the vent suggest that this piece was spiked and thrown into the creek at war's end to prevent capture.
The Breech of the Stony Creek Rifle showing the stamped weight of 5,360 pounds.
Railroad Bridge over Stony Creek very near where the rifle is displayed in Stony Creek, Virginia
4.62-Inch Gibbon and Andrews Rifle at Fort Branch in North Carolina - Additional photos of this cannon may be found here: https://www.santee1821.net/preserved-artillery/the-462-inch-gibbon-and-andrews-rifle-of-fort-branch
