The 9-Inch Dahlgrens of Rollinsford, New Hampshire

Sep 23

Two 9-Inch Dahlgren cannons are displayed in front of a monument to Union Veterans in Rollinsford, New Hampshire

9-Inch Dahlgren cannon in Rollinsford, NH — 9-Inch Dahlgren Number 167 manufactured by Bellona Foundry in 1858 displayed in Rollinsford, New Hampshire. The Dahlgren is displayed on an original Marsilly iron carriage which is missing its wheels.

Two 9-Inch Dahlgren cannons are displayed in front of a monument to local Union veterans in Rollinsford, New Hampshire. The Dahlgrens, their carriages, and the monument were all well maintained.

One of the Dahlgrens, Number 167, was manufactured by Bellona Foundry in 1858. It is marked as weighing 9,280 pounds as originally manufactured. It is mounted on an original iron Marsilly carriage which is missing its wheels. The carriage is marked as weighing 1,215 pounds. In the appendix to The Big Guns, it is listed as the only 9-Inch Dahlgren cast by Bellona Foundry known to survive. The same appendix notes that it is recorded as being carried abord the Steam Sloop of War USS Richmond. USS Richmond saw a very active career at New Orleans, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Mobile Bay. Thirty-three of her crew received the Medal of Honor for actions during the American Civil War. USS Richmond would go on to have a long postwar career - seeing service as a cruising warship until 1890. She served as a training ship and receiving ship until 1919 before being burned in 1920.

The second 9-Inch Dahlgren, Number 751, was manufactured by Fort Pitt in 1863. She is marked as weighing 9,340 pounds as manufactured. It is not mounted on a carriage but instead a pedestal meant to resemble the other Dahlgren’s carriage. Presumably Rollinsford received the two cannons but only one carriage and had to order a pedestal which resembled an actual carriage. It is recorded in The Big Guns as serving aboard the paddle steamer USS Susquehanna. USS Susquehanna was commissioned in 1850. She served throughout the American Civil War - undergoing repairs in New York from May of 1863 to July of 1864. It may be that Number 751 came aboard during this time. USS Susquehanna participated in the capture of Port Royal in 1861, took part in the blockade off Charleston, and would take part in both expeditions against Fort Fisher. She was decommissioned in 1868 and finally sold in 1883.