The Cannons at Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was fought from January 13th - 15th, 1865. This post gives an overview of the major types of heavy cannons present in the fort and aboard the fleet. The cannons pictured include Columbiads, Brooke Rifles, Dahlgren Cannons, and Parrott Rifles.
The 32-Pounders of 57 Hundredweight at Fort Fisher
Two US Navy 32-Pounders of 57 Hundredweight which were made in 1848 and 1852 at Tredegar, captured by the Confederates, banded and rifled, and mounted during the war at Fort Caswell are displayed at Fort Fisher. Three other replicas based on these cannons are mounted at the fort.
BuOrd 32-Pounders of 4,500 Pounds in Townsend, Massachusetts
Two US Navy Bureau of Ordnance 32-Pounders of 4,500 Pounds are displayed in front of Memorial Hall in Townsend, Massachusetts. Notably, one of the cannons still has a firing hammer attached on the lug at the breech.
Heavy Artillery of the Confederacy in the American Civil War
This post is an overview of the major types and systems of heavy naval and seacoast artillery operated by the Confederate Army and Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. The principle types used were: Pre-War US Army cannons and Columbiads, Pre-War US Navy cannons and Dahlgren guns, Confederate Columbiads, Brooke Rifles and Smoothbores, banded and rifled cannons, and British rifles.
The Cannons of Fort Macon
Fort Macon on Bogue Banks in North Carolina is a beautifully preserved and restored Third System fort which has been operated as a state park since 1924. Over the last decades the Friends of Fort Macon have raised money to rearm the fort and in so doing has made a very significant contribution to the historical interpretation of the fort. For those who are interested in American Seacoast Artillery, Fort Macon is a fascinating site to visit.
The 32-Pounder of 51 Hundredweight in Waseca, Minnesota
A 32-Pounder of 51 Hundredweight is displayed in Waseca, Minnesota. This type of cannon was used a chase gun on the upper decks of heavy frigates and ships of the line of the United States Navy prior to the American Civil War.
Fort Fisher has Reopened!
Fort Fisher State Historic Site has reopened! The newly constructed visitors center and museum is magnificent. The fort itself has two newly reconstructed gun emplacements “armed” with replica banded and rifled 32-Pounders and two field pieces in front of the fort. It was a beautiful day for a visit. More posts will follow in the future which will try to tell something of the history of the fort and its people, but here are a few photos.
The Gradual Increase 32-Pounder of USS Ohio at Boston National Historic Park
A US Navy 32-Pounder of 60 Hundredweight manufactured in 1820 is displayed at the Boston National Historical Park. This cannon was produced following the "Gradual Increase of the Navy" act and may have served on USS Ohio and other ships of the early United States Navy.
The Naval Cannons of Fort McClary, Maine
Three US Navy cannons are displayed at Fort McClary near Kittery, Maine: a 9-Inch Dahlgren Shell Gun, a Bureau of Ordnance 8-Inch Shell Gun of 6,500 Pounds, and a 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight. Fort McClary shows several stages of US Army seacoast fortifications and is beautifully situated overlooking Portsmouth Harbor.
32-Pounder Rifle of CSS Teaser - Then and Now
A 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight which was banded and rifled by the Confederates is preserved as a trophy at the Washington Navy Yard. This cannon was captured aboard the converted tug boat CSS Teaser. The cannon was photographed after CSS Teaser's capture - allowing a "then and now" look at the cannon as well as the cannon's carriage, sights, and other accessories.
The Naval Cannons of Exeter, New Hampshire
Four US Navy Cannons are displayed in Exeter, New Hampshire: an 11-Inch Dahlgren, a 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight, and two 32-Pounders of 4,500 Pounds
32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight in Hudson, New Hampshire
A US Navy 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight cast by Cyrus Alger and Company in 1848 is displayed on a naval carriage in Hudson, New Hampshire.
The Naval Guns of Old Fort Jackson
Old Fort Jackson near Savannah, Georgia displays several cannon which were manufactured for and used by the US Navy in the years before the American Civil War.
32-Pounder Rifle of CSS Georgia
A 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight, banded and rifled by the Confederates, is displayed at Old Fort Jackson near Savannah, Georgia. This cannon was raised from the wreck of CSS Georgia in 1984.
Cannons of Fort Moultrie
Fort Moultre, on Sullivan’s Island near Charleson, South Carolina, displays two Model 1829 32-Pounders and a Model 1819 24-Pounder. Fort Moultrie, the site of a 1776 victory and much fighting during the Civil War, shows the entire history of American seacoast defense from 1776 to 1945.
32-Pounders of 57 hundredweight in Defiance, Ohio
Two 32-Pounders of 57 hundredweight are preserved at Old Fort Defiance in Defiance, Ohio. The two cannons are said to have been captured with Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina. (Photos in this post are courtesy of William Bechmann.)
The Naval Cannon of Fort Anderson
Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson State Historic Site displays two reproduction guns representing US Navy Cannon from the Civil War era. Also on display are 18th century Naval Guns related to the town’s early colonial history.
The 32-Pounders of Fort Fisher
Three United States Navy 32-Pounders are on display at Fort Fisher. These guns illustrate the kind of ordinance in naval use prior to the Civil War and the ways in which these guns were used by North and South during the war.