"Florida's Cannonball-Eating Spanish Fort" Topic

…But even after nearly two months of being shelled with cannonballs and gunfire, the fort's walls wouldn't give. In fact, they appeared to be "swallowing" the British cannonballs, which then became embedded within the stone. Precisely how the walls did this remained a mystery for the next three centuries…

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Cool! I've been there, it's one of the most interesting places in Florida.

so it acts more like earth than rock

what a great read!

Fascinating article. Thanks for posting.

It is indeed a fascinating article. Thanks.

Very interesting article. I spent some time down in St Augustine and had the opportunity to walk around Castillo San Marcos. Beautiful fortification and had to seem incredibly imposing in the early 18th century Florida. There is a lot of construction in that area using tabby which is like a cement mix with shells. Makes sense that they used the coquina. If one is ever in the area, a few hours north is also the remains of Fort Frederica. Both establishments played a significant role in the War of Jenkins Ear.

Yes, nice fort, been there twice.

Given my age and the continuing virus struggle worldwide particularly in the States I doubt I will make it again.

I don't know if it really happened but some of the tour guides will tell you that the defenders would come out at night and dig out the cannonballs to fire them back at the attackers the following day.

Interestingly enough my wife just told me we are taking my nephew to St Augustine to meet up with his friend to take him to college this coming semester. With the C-19 I suggested we visit the fort since it's an outside thing we could do!

Most of the display material at the fort is indoors in stuffy little rooms possibly full of tourists. That may have changed in the last few years since I was there.