The 11-Inch Dahlgren of USS Keokuk
What is arguably one of the most famous US Navy cannons of the Civil War has guarded White Point Garden at the tip of Charleston, South Carolina since around the year 1899. This large cannon, an 11-Inch Dahlgren designed and manufactured for the US Navy and carried by the newly built ironclad USS Keokuk into that ship's first and only battle.
On April 7th, 1863 USS Keokuk was one of nine US Navy ironclads which attacked the defenses of Charleston Harbor. Despite being the most thinly armored US Navy ship in the engagement, Keokuk was among the ships that came closest to the forts. Hit over 90 times, she sustained damage which caused her to sink the following day.
The guns of Keokuk were salvaged from the mostly sunken wreck by the defenders of Charleston - as until that point the largest guns available to the Confederates were 10 inch Columbiads and 7 inch Brooke Rifles. The Story is well told in Warren Ridley’s “Artillery and Ammunition of the Civil War” and PC Coker’s “Charleston’s Maritime Heritage.”
This Dahlgren was mounted on Sullivan's Island during the war. In the 1890s it was brought to White Point Garden. The Dahlgren is mounted for display on a front pintle barbette mount intended for an iron 10 inch Rodman - as it has been for well over a century.
According the Ripley the markings are: Right Trunnion - 1862; Left Trunnion - P. T.A.H.; Breech - C.A.&Co., No. 235, 15960 Llbs. Cascabel - 969.
11-Inch Dahlgren preserved at White Point Garden in Charleston, SC
Plaque at White Point Gardens describing the salvage of the Dahlgren
Plaque at White Point Gardens describing the salvage of the Dahlgren
Model of USS Keokuk on display at Fort Sumter
The Dahlgren and a Columbiad pictured circa 1900. These two cannon are now displayed further from the seawall than in this photo.
1911 Photo of the Dahlgren after it had been dismounted by a hurricane
The breech of the Dahlgren is supported by a post that is meant to be used to elevate a 10-Inch Rodman gun
Dahlgren and carriage viewed from the muzzle. Note that the muzzle is clipped a bit on both sides. I wonder if this is due to the gunports on the Keokuk.
