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 Cannons of Freeport: The Trubia Rifle and Hartford’s Parrott
Two 19th Century muzzle-loading rifled cannon sit about a half-mile apart on Long Island in Freeport, New York. One is an 8-Inch Muzzle Loading Rifle made at Trubia, Spain in 1874 and captured in the Spanish American War. The other is a US Navy 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle which served aboard USS Hartford during the American Civil War.
“Report on Rifled Guns” - 1865 Report on Parrott Rifles by the US Navy Bureau of Ordnance
After 5 US Navy Parrott Rifles failed causing some 45 casualties during the First Battle of Fort Fisher in December of 1865, the Bureau of Ordnance was tasked with determining the cause of the failures and whether Parrott Rifles continued to be suitable for use by the United States Navy. The report is transcribed in this post.
30-Pounder US Army Parrott Rifles at Fort Pulaski
US Army 30-Pounder Parrott Rifles were successfully used in the Siege of Fort Pulaski in April of 1862. Several 30-Pounder Parrott Rifles (also called 4.2-Inch Parrotts) are displayed at the Fort. The US Army Model is both longer and heavier than the Navy 30-Pounder.
30-Pounder Parrott in Cincinnati, Ohio
A 30-Pounder Parrott mounted on a reproduction Marsilly style carriage is displayed at Washington Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. This Parrott seems to have a late-production extension to its breeching block for connection to an elevating screw. Many thanks to Ferd454231 for the photos of this Parrott!
The US Navy Cannons of Townsend Park in Oyster Bay, New York
Three American Civil War era United States Navy cannons sit surrounding a bandstand in Townsend Park in Oyster Bay, York. The three cannons are a rare 50-Pounder Dahlgren Rifle, a 5.3-Inch Parrott Rifle converted to a breechloader, and a 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle which saw service aboard USS R.R. Cuyler during the American Civil War. These photos were provided by another individual and are used with permission.
The Cannons of Denver’s City Park
Three Civil War era cannons have been displayed near the Pavilion at City Park in Denver, Colorado since 1897. They are an 11-Inch Dahlgren, a 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifle, and a 13-Inch Mortar. They surround a statue of Robert Burns.
The 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifle of Fair Haven, Vermont
A 6.4-Inch (or 100-Pounder) Parrott Rifle is displayed on a pedestal in Fair Haven, Vermont.
5.3-Inch Parrott Breechloaders in Laconia, New Hampshire
Two US Navy 5.3-Inch Parrott Rifles originally manufactured as muzzle-loaders in 1864-1865 but converted to breechloaders in the 1870s are preserved and displayed on original carriages in Laconia, New Hampshire.
The 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle at Federal Hill Park
A US Navy 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle is mounted at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland
Four 30-Pounder Parrott Rifles at Battleship New Jersey
Four US Navy 30-Pounder Parrott Rifles are displayed at Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Camden, New Jersey.
Three 20-Pounder Parrott Rifles in South Berwick, Maine
Three US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifles are displayed around a monument in South Berwick, Maine.
8-Inch Parrott Rifle in Westerly, Rhode Island
An 8-Inch Parrott Rilfe is displayed outside the old Armory in Westerly, Rhode Island.
6.4-Inch Parrott Rifle in Bristol, Vermont
A 6.4-Inch (or 100-Pounder) Parrott Rifle is displayed on the town square in Bristol, Vermont.
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.
The Citadel’s Cannons
Displayed on the campus of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina are two 2.9-Inch Parrott Rifles, two Model 1841 6-Pounders, a 3.3-Inch Parrott Rifle, and a 7-Inch Brooke Rifle.
8-Inch Parrott Rifles of Forts Moultrie and Sumter
Two 8-Inch Parrott Rifles are preserved near Charleston, South Carolina. One may be found at Fort Moultrie and the other at Fort Sumter. Both were brought (along with several others of the type) in 1872 as part of modernizations to the forts. Both were buried around 1900 after they had become obsolete and it was easier to bury them than remove them.
The 10-Inch Parrott of Fort Moultrie
Preserved at Fort Moultrie near Charleston, South Carolina is at 10-Inch Parrott Rifle.
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 30-Pounder Parrott at UNCW
Why is there a cannon on UNCW’s campus? A US Navy 30-Pounder Parrott Rifle is displayed on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. This cannon was recovered from the wreck of USS Peterhoff in 1974.