Fort Massachusetts Tour: Stop 8

Fort Massachusetts Hot Shot Furnace

NPS Photo/Kiss

Quick Facts

Location:

Ship Island, Mississippi

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Trailhead

Hot Shot Furnace

This coal-fired furnace was built to heat cannon balls before firing them at ships. This furnace was never used.

This brick structure sitting in the middle of the fort is about 9 feet square with a large square chimney at the end facing the middle of the parade. Below the chimney is wide opening that tunnels all the way through the structure to a similar opening at the far end. Three iron pipes extend the length of the tunnel, forming a horizontal rack. On the wall are five star-like iron braces held in place by rods that pass through the structure to support the side walls. At lower left on this wall are two smaller openings giving access to the firebox.

Imagine what it was like for soldiers in the blazing sun to heat solid cannonballs in a furnace like this one.

One soldier maintained the coal fire and put up to 60 cannonballs on racks in the furnace. A second removed the heated balls with tongs. A third cleaned them with a rasp, and others carried them in ladles to the guns. 

This furnace was ordered as a kit and installed. Although common to coastal forts, this furnace was never used.