Encyclopedia · People, inventors, and ordnance officers

Charles T. James

Charles T. James (1805-1862) was a Rhode Island machinist and United States Senator who developed the James rifling system and projectiles, used with effect at Fort Pulaski.

Also known as: Charles Tillinghast James.

Born1805
Died1862
CareerMachinist, cotton-mill superintendent, and United States Senator
Known forThe James rifle and James projectile
DeathKilled in a shell accident at Sag Harbor, New York, 1862

Senator and inventor

Charles Tillinghast James of Rhode Island rose from machinist to cotton-mill superintendent and United States Senator before turning to ordnance. He developed a rifled cannon and a family of projectiles that saw notable service in the 1862 reduction of Fort Pulaski.

James was killed on October 16, 1862, at Sag Harbor, New York, when one of his shells detonated during a demonstration.

On this site

Sources & further reading

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