13-inch seacoast mortar M. 1861

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	Weapon: 13-inch seacoast mortar M. 1861 Type: Mortar Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1861 Overall Length (mm): 3048.0 Overall Length (in): 120 Weight (kg): 8800.00 Weight (pounds): 19400.68

The 13-inch Seacoast Mortar M. 1861 was a powerful artillery piece designed for coastal defense and siege operations during the American Civil War. Weighing approximately 17,000 pounds, this massive cast-iron mortar was mounted on a wooden or iron carriage and fired explosive shells up to 4,300 yards. The mortar's high-arching trajectory allowed it to lob heavy projectiles over fortifications, making it highly effective in siege warfare. The standard shell weighed around 200 pounds, delivering devastating explosive force upon impact.

Production of the 13-inch seacoast mortar was relatively limited compared to field artillery, as these weapons were primarily intended for fixed defensive positions rather than mobile battlefield use. However, they played a crucial role in several key engagements, most notably during the Union bombardment of Confederate fortifications, such as the sieges of Petersburg and Vicksburg. Their ability to penetrate enemy defenses and inflict heavy damage made them an essential component of Union artillery strategy in prolonged engagements.

The notoriety of the 13-inch seacoast mortar is largely tied to its role in the siege of Fort Pulaski, where it demonstrated the effectiveness of rifled artillery and heavy mortars in breaching masonry defenses. After the Civil War, these mortars remained in coastal fortifications but were gradually replaced by more advanced artillery designs. Today, surviving examples of the M. 1861 can be found in historical sites and museums, serving as a testament to the technological advancements in artillery during the 19th century.