Cannon pictures @ Fort Madison (IA)

[Blaster]

Recently drove from Colorado back to attend a wedding near Fort Madison, IA.  Located right next to the highway (about 6-8 feet from the roadway) in downtown Fort Madison are two cannon that I have admired since I was about 7 years old (about 1943).  You can plainly see the old reflector imbedded in the concrete base on the one cannon due to the proximity to the highway.  One picture will show some very substantial hardward holding the trunion to the concrete base. 




Here's the stone monument standing between these two cannon.  You can plainly see the RR tracks of the BNSF Rwy and the Mississippi to the right side of the photo


And here's the plate on the monument


About one block away to the West, there are two James cannon and here's three pictures of them







And this one is aimed across the Mighty Mississippi River.



If these pictures were already posted by CW (Tim) on his trip back West of a few years ago, I must apologize for reposting them..
Oh yeah, also sorry for not having a one pound BP can in these pictures.  Next time for sure!
Blaster (Bob in So. CO)

[GGaskill]

Looks like even in the less poluted midwest they could use a coat of paint.

[Cat Whisperer]

Blaster -

Thanks for posting them!  Everyone takes pictures from different perspectives and you caught details that I didn't.

I'm headed west again.  This week I'm headed to S.D. to do in a few prairie dogs.  Cannon shots will be posted as I get them.

[cannonmn]

This week I'm headed to S.D. to do in a few prairie dogs.  Cannon shots will be posted as I get them.

Uh oh, I know it happens to some of us with advancing age, job pressures or whatever, y' know, "over the edge."  I hope 'ole Cat gets some help before he actually takes after those prairie dogs with his cannons!

[KABAR2]

This week I'm headed to S.D. to do in a few prairie dogs.  Cannon shots will be posted as I get them.

Uh oh, I know it happens to some of us with advancing age, job pressures or whatever, y' know, "over the edge."  I hope 'ole Cat gets some help before he actually takes after those prairie dogs with his cannons!

Oh I don't know....... I think he's being creative........
It gives the prairie dogs a sporting chance........
Heck most people use high powered rifles and literally blow the critters apart. 
I think it's more sporting than the fellow who used a mountain howitzer full of musket balls to bag a deer!

[Blaster]

This week I'm headed to S.D. to do in a few prairie dogs.  Cannon shots will be posted as I get them.

Uh oh, I know it happens to some of us with advancing age, job pressures or whatever, y' know, "over the edge."  I hope 'ole Cat gets some help before he actually takes after those prairie dogs with his cannons!

Oh I don't know....... I think he's being creative........
It gives the prairie dogs a sporting chance........
Heck most people use high powered rifles and literally blow the critters apart. 
I think it's more sporting than the fellow who used a mountain howitzer full of musket balls to bag a deer!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps CW is planning on the prairie dog shoot with his secondary arm which will be a cannon loaded with nuts, bolts, washers, screws and floor sweepings from his shop floor.  Good luck Tim!  Any chance you may be passing through southern part of Colorado on this trip?

[Cat Whisperer]

Taking a cannon would indeed be interesting.  BUT I'm taking several .223's, a .308 and the .458WM.

Ya can't be too careful about an injured charging prairie dawg.

Headed to Martin, SD - that's about as close to Colorado on this trip.

Got an ASSRA match back in VA the day after we get back.  Hope to have a few minutes to load a few inbetween.

[Cannoneer]

   I recall when Cat originally posted pics of these James rifles and also a photo of the plaque if I remember rightly. Well it's two years later and the plaque is still in error; these "Type II James Rifles" were cast by the Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1861 and 1862.

[RocklockI]

Very cool , My wife , my Daughter and my Mother in law are members of The DAR .

That photo will be circulated thru The Arapahoe Chapter this evening . My wife is the "scribe" (They call it something else). The mother in law is the money keeper .

How in the heck can I convnce them they NEED a cannon ? Any Cannon , I'll take care of it and make sure it goes bang for parades....and things .  I might have to "have " a move made for the need of a reprsentative cannon . 
rocklock

[Blaster]

   I recall when Cat originally posted pics of these James rifles and also a photo of the plaque if I remember rightly. Well it's two years later and the plaque is still in error; these "Type II James Rifles" were cast by the Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1861 and 1862.

Hey Boom, you ought to do your patriotic/civic duty and write to the City Fathers of Fort Madison, IA, telling them of their error.  However, better not count on having a corrected plaque replace the present one in the NEAR future.  Give it a try, I'm sure they'd appreciate receiving the correct information.

[Cannoneer]

Blaster,

   I think I'll save my stationery for a cause that has better odds of success. I have a sneaking suspicion that if human beings still exist in the year 3008 (Common Era of course), and also assuming the plaque is still legible, and they can still read, they'll still be able to absorb the knowledge that these two examples of the James rifle were only manufactured in 1858 and 1859.

[Blaster]

Boom J....Saving your stationery is a wise choice.  I just know that it'd be very difficult to convince them of their mistake. There are a huge number of "hard heads" down in that area of Iowa.  I know because I was born in Fort Madison and I have to admit that I too am somewhat of a hard head.

[smokemjoe]

 I have seen these for years evertime I go to MO. Thanks for posting, I have been wanting to know about them even, I am about  a year or so late on seeing the post, Thanks- Good job, Joe in
 Dubuque Ia.