Sunday Aboard USS Richmond in 1890
A set of six photos taken aboard USS Richmond on a Sunday - likely in 1890 - show a wealth of details about the Old Steam US Navy. The high resolution photos show facial expressions, equipment, arms, and more aboard a ship little changed since its service in the American Civil War.
The 9-Inch Dahlgrens of Webster, New York
Two 9-Inch Dahlgren cannons are displayed at Webster Rural Cemetery in Webster, New York. These two Dahlgrens are displayed on concrete recreations of the wooden carriages that they would have had in service aboard US Navy warships during the American Civil War. Both cannons were originally part of a shipment sent to Sackets Harbor.
The 9-Inch Dahlgren of Sackets Harbor
A US Navy 9-Inch Dahlgren is displayed alongside a 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle at Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site in Sackets Harbor, New York. Originally part of twenty such cannons sent to Sackets Harbor, the reason that these cannons were sent in 1864 remains a bit of a mystery. Sackets Harbor is a beautiful and historic site on Lake Ontario.
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.
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 9-Inch Dahlgren of USS Minnesota and USS Richmond in New Hope, Pennsylvania
A 9-Inch Dahlgren which served aboard USS Minnesota and USS Richmond is preserved in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
The 9-Inch Dahlgren of USS Colorado on Staten Island
A US Navy 9-Inch Dahlgren Cannon is displayed at Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island in New York. This gun was manufactured at Tredegar Foundry in 1857 and saw service aboard USS Colorado.
The Guns of USS Kearsarge in 1894
When the USS Kearsarge grounded and sank on February 2nd, 1894 she was carrying two 8-Inch Muzzle Loading Rifles, four 9-Inch Dahlgrens, and one 5.3-Inch Breech Loading Rifle. This post looks at historic photos of USS Kearsarge, photos of preserved cannons similar to those lost aboard the ship, and photos that may show the current disposition of the cannons at Kearsarge’s wreck site.
The 9-Inch Dahlgren and 8-Inch Rodman at Fort Sill
The US Army Artillery Museum at Fort Sill offers the unique opportunity to directly compare an 8-Inch Rodman to an 9-Inch Dahlgren. In presenting these two cannon side by side, the visitor to the museum is able to see the approach of both the US Navy and the US Army to produce shell guns capable of also firing solid shot. The Photos in this post were taken by Flickr User “rcaustintx” in 2019. They are used with his permission. Many, many thanks!
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.
The 9-Inch Dahlgrens of Rollinsford, New Hampshire
Two 9-Inch Dahlgrens are displayed in Rollinsford, New Hampshire in front of a monument to local Union veterans. One of the cannons may be the only surviving 9-Inch Dahlgren manufactured by Bellona - in 1858. The Bellona Dahlgren is mounted on an original iron Marsilly carriage. The two cannons and their mounts are well maintained and nicely displayed.
The Dahlgrens of the Washington Navy Yard
Dahlgren’s shell gun and boat howitzer designs formed the core of US Naval armament during the American Civil War. It is fitting that three of his designs are displayed at the Washington Navy Yard: a 9-Inch Dahlgren Shell Gun, a 12-Pounder Boat Howitzer, and a 20-Pounder Bronze Rifle.
The 9-Inch Dahlgrens of USS Hartford at Trinity College
Two 9-Inch Dahlgren cannons which were carried by USS Hartford are displayed on Marsilly carriages at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
The 9-Inch Dahlgrens of the American Swedish Historical Museum
Two 9-Inch Dahlgren cannons are displayed in front of the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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.
The Cannons of Trophy Park
Norfolk Navy Yard Trophy Park in Portsmouth, Virginia displays a number of Dahlgrens and Parrott Rifles from the mid 19th Century US Navy. Some are displayed as they were manufactured. Others received modifications and conversions in the 1870s. Many thanks to Flickr user Jimmy for the permission to use these photos.
9-Inch Dahlgren at Old Fort Jackson
A 9-Inch Dahlgren is displayed at Old Fort Jackson near Savannah, Georgia. This cannon served aboard USS Brooklyn during the Civil War.
9-Inch Dahlgrens of the Mariners’ Museum
Two 9-Inch Dahlgren guns are on display at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia. One was aboard CSS Virginia in her battle with USS Cumberland. The other served aboard USS Richmond.
Aiming a Dahlgren: The Gunnery Artifacts of USS Monitor and USS Cumberland
Gunnery Artifacts related to the use of Dahlgren cannon are on display at the USS Monitor Center at the Mariners’ Museum and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. This post looks at a historic photo to explain the artifacts.
John Dalhgren’s Heavy Smoothbores for the US Navy
An overview of John A. B. Dahlgren’s heavy smoothbore cannon designed and created for the US Navy.