The 11-Inch Dahlgrens of USS Monitor
One of USS Monitor’s 11-Inch Dahlgrens undergoing conservation at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia
The USS Monitor’s turret was successfully recovered from the waters off North Carolina on August 5th, 2002. Since that time, the turret and it’s two 11-Inch Dahlgren guns have been undergoing preservation at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia. Both of the Dahlgrens and their carriages, along with the ship’s turret and machinery, may be seen from a viewing gallery above the conservation lab.
The superlative Monitor Center at the Mariners’ Museum also includes a recreation of the turret both as it was found on the sea floor and as it existed in 1862.
The two Dahlgrens were manufactured at West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York in 1859. The Dahlgren mounted on the port side of the turret was Registry Number 27. Number 27 was eventually nicknamed “Worden”. The starboard Dahlgren was Registry Number 28 and was nicknamed “Ericsson.
In addition to the carriages, a number of artifacts related to the Dahlgrens such as the sights, locks, and covers for the guns have been recovered. Some of these accessories are on display in the Monitor Center.
11-Inch Dahlgren and carriage undergoing preservation at the Monitor Center at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia
Sign overlooking the conservation lab in the Monitor Center
Walk through display showing the condition of the turret upon initial recovery.
Recreation of the turret and carriages
Impression of the engraving upon 11-Inch Dahlgren No. 28 “Ericsson”
Display showing sights and sight covers (and a lock and fuse) from Dahlgren No. 27 “Worden”
A model of USS Monitor in the galleries
