The Cannons of Trophy Park
Norfolk Navy Shipyard Trophy Park in Portsmouth, Virginia displays a number of Dahlgren cannons and Parrott Rifles of the mid 19th Century US Navy. Some of the cannons are in the original state as manufactured just before or during the American Civil War. Others show the efforts of the US Navy to modernize ordnance in the late 1870s on very limited budgets. It is a fascinating display and one that is difficult for civilians to see. I very much appreciate Flickr user Jimmy for allowing me to use these photos from his album. Please visit his album for additional photos at higher resolution.
Sources for this post include “The Cannons at Trophy Park” based on research by Wayne E. Stark and The Big Guns by Olmstead/Stark/Tucker.
An 8-Inch Rifle converted in 1876 at West Point Foundry from a 11-Inch Dahlgren Smoothbore originally cast in 1864 at Builders Foundry. As originally manufactured, it was registry number 181 and it weighed 15,740 pounds. As converted, it weighs 17,330 pounds. For more about these conversions, see my post on the 8-Inch Rifles at Patriots’ Point. To the left of the Dahlgren is a 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifle which was made in 1862 as a standard muzzle-loader. In 1878 it was converted to a breechloader. (The tube is missing its breechblock.) Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
Another view of the converted 6.4-Inch (100 Pounder) Parrott Rifle seen in the photo above. At left is a 5.3-Inch Parrott also converted to a breechloader. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
Post-war image of a Parrott Rifle converted to a breechloader aboard USS Pensacola. Naval History and heritage command photo: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-42000/NH-42881.html
9-Inch Dahlgren Smoothbore, Registry No. 1178, Manufactured in 1864 at Fort Pitt Foundry. Originally weighing 9,240 pounds, the trunnions of this Dahlgren were shortened for use on an iron Marsilly carriage (as displayed). This Dahlgren was part of the armament of USS Huron which was wrecked off of North Carolina in 1877. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
This 9-Inch Dahlgren, Registry No. 242, was manufactured in 1859 at Cyrus Alger and Co. This gun retains the original longer trunnions for use with wooden Marsilly carriages. This Dahlgren served during the Civil War aboard the Steam Sloop of War USS Richmond. Postwar, it served aboard the training frigate USS Sabine (sister of USS Santee). The next 9-Inch Dahlgren in sequence, Cyrus Alger No. 243, is on display at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
6.4-Inch (or 100-Pounder) Parrott Rifle, Registry No. 165, manufactured at West Point Foundry in 1863. It weighs 9,727 pounds. This cannon remains a muzzle loader. Note the breech section removed for the breechloader pictured earlier. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
Next to the 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifle is another 9-Inch Dahlgren Smoothbore, Registry No. 887 manufactured by Cyrus Alger in 1864. This Dahlgren also shows the short trunnions of a cannon modified for use on iron carriages. As manufactured it weighed 9,320 pounds. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
5.3-Inch Parrott Rifle (60-Pounder). This gun, Registry No. 56, was manufactured by West Point Foundry in 1865. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
Next to the 5.3-Inch Parrott is a 3.67-Inch (20-Pounder) Parrott Rifle manufactured by West Point Foundry in 1862. It weighs 1,795 pounds. This type of Parrott was used both by the US Army (as a heavy field gun) and the US Navy as a light shipboard gun. This gun, registry number 115, was carried by USS Sumter during the Civil War. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
12-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzer (Heavy), Registry Number 36, manufactured at the Washington Navy Yard in 1854. It weighs 754 pounds. This boat howitzer served aboard USS Constellation from 1854 to 1866. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
12-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzer (Light), Registry Number 130, manufactured at the Washington Navy Yard in 1870. It weighs 432 pounds. Photo by Flickr user Jimmy - used with permission.
