THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY

SEACOAST HOWITZERS & COLUMBIADS

This hybrid page, which includes both howitzers (chambered) and guns (not chambered), is necessary because the development of these models of cannon in the first half of the nineteenth century does not readily fit the accepted categories. The need for a relatively large, long-range piece, particularly for firing shell, eventually resulted in the creation of the model 1839 seacoast howitzer. Beginning in 1844, these guns began to be called columbiads, and that term was still applied to the 1857 models, even though the chamber had been eliminated from the design. It is to be regretted that the term "columbiad" has been so loosely used as to apply to any large piece of ordnance.
8-inch seacoast howitzer, Model of 1839. Nominal length (from muzzle face to rear of reinforcing band), 98 inches; weight, 5,850 pounds; total production, 59; known survivors, 2. This pattern, and all 8-inch and 10-inch Models of 1840, 1842, and 1844, have chambers and were to fire spherical shell only.

10-inch heavy experimental seacoast howitzer, Pattern 1839. Nominal length, 104.75 inches; weight, unknown but estimated at approximately 15,000 pounds; total production, 3; known survivor, 1

8-inch seacoast howitzer, Model of 1840. Nominal length, 98 inches; weight, 5,800 pounds; total production, 64; known survivors, 10. Differs from the above 8-inch Model of 1839 only in having a 0.82 inch smaller diameter muzzle swell.

10-inch seacoast howitzer, Model of 1840. Nominal length, 112 inches; weight, 9,500 pounds; total production, 10; known survivor, 1

10-inch heavy seacoast howitzer, Model of 1842. Nominal length, 114 inches; weight, 14,290 pounds; total production, 7; known survivor, 1. There were 13 slimmer 8-inch heavy seacoast howitzers, Model of 1842, produced for which we have found no survivor or reproducible photograph. It had the same 114-inch nominal length as the 10-inch model pictured here and an average weight of 8,517 pounds.

8-inch Columbiad, Model of 1844. Nominal length, 119 inches; weight, 9,200 pounds; total production, 315; known survivors, 21. While designated a "columbiad," this model has a chamber and was classified as a seacoast howitzer, firing shell only.

10-inch Columbiad, Model of 1844. Nominal length, 120 inches; weight, 15,400 pounds; total production, 159; known survivors, 14. Like the 8-inch immediately above, it is a seacoast howitzer and fired shell only.

10-inch Columbiad, Model of 1844; banded, rifled and trunnions replaced by Confederates. Nominal length, 118 inches; rifling, 15 grooves with right-hand twist; original weight is marked as 15,210 pounds, but weight after conversion is unknown. Already missing one trunnion, both were replaced by bronze trunnions on a bronze trunnion ring by J.M. Eason & Bro. at Charleston SC in 1863. The method of attaching the trunnion ring is unique among surviving Civil War cannon. The original chamber was undoubtedly bored out prior to rifling.

8-inch New Columbiad Gun, Model of 1857. Nominal length, 116 inches; weight, 9,100 pounds; total production, 94; known survivors, 2. Unlike the Models of 1839, 1840, 1842 and 1844 above, this model does not have a chamber and is classified as a gun. It is the last 8-inch "columbiad" developed prior to the introduction of the Rodman seacoast gun.

10-inch New Columbiad Gun, Model of 1857. Nominal length, 118 inches; weight, 15,000 pounds; total production, 7; This photo was scanned from an old postcard as there is no known survivor. Like the 8-inch above, this model is classified as a gun. It is the last 10-inch "columbiad" developed prior to the introduction of the Rodman seacoast gun.

8-inch Confederate New Columbiad Gun, similar to Model of 1857. Tredegar Foundry made 11 of these guns for the State of Georgia, and this only known survivor is so marked ("GA"). Three others were made by Tredegar for the Confederate army prior to the change to the smoother exterior shape cast on and after 1 June 1861 (see "Confederate Columbiads" on the Rodman page [in progress]). Evidently old patterns were modified to utilize a knob instead of the elevating ratchets specified on those made earlier for U.S. Army Ordnance.

8-inch Confederate Navy Columbiad Gun. Dimensions of this tube are close to those of the Model of 1857 above. The trunnions have been replaced by a crude trunnion band, and the muzzle swell has been roughly chipped away.

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