The Naval Guns of Old Fort Jackson
From front to rear: A 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight sits on blocks; a Model 1821 “Gradual Increase” 32-Pounder on a front-pintle barbette carriage; an early 19th Century 24-Pounder on an early 19th Century Barbette Carriage.
Old Fort Jackson near Savannah, Georgia displays several cannons of the pre-Civil War US Navy. Old Fort Jackson is one of the museum sites of the Coastal Heritage Society. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, and they have regular demonstrations throughout the day. The site is well worth a visit!
The Naval cannon present at Fort Jackson include:
A Model 1821 32-Pounder of 63 Hundredweight which was cast in 1824 and was of a type intended to arm the ships-of-the-line and heavy frigates built for the US Navy in the years after 1812. US Navy Ordnance Records for 1849 show that this particular gun was carried aboard USS Potomac.
A Model 1821 32-Pounder Carronade cast in 1827. Old Fort Jackson’s records state that this carronade was also carried aboard USS Potomac. Carronades were little used during the American Civil War. They did see some service as flank howitzers in Confederate fortifications - and the placement of the carronade suggests that usage. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the carronade was used to arm the upperworks of larger ships and the main batteries of smaller ships. For a relatively light gun, they were able to throw a heavy shot. However, they were short ranged. In the 1840s and 1850s, the US Navy largely removed carronades from its ships, preferring very light weight cannon, such as the 32-Pounder of 27 Hundredweight of 1846.
Two 32-Pounders of 57 Hundredweight. This type of cannon was introduced in 1846 as part of a system of uniform 32-Pounder armament. The 57 Hundredweight gun was one of the heavier 32-Pounders in the system. The gun which sits on blocks upon the parapet is an unmodified version of the cannon - however, it also was heavily pitted from corrosion during years of service as a bollard in Norfolk. The other 57-Hundredweight gun was rifled and banded by the Confederates during the war and was a part of the armament of CSS Georgia. The second gun has been the subject of its own post.
There is also a 9-Inch Dahlgren which served aboard USS Brooklyn during the American Civil War which has been the subject of its own post.
Model 1821 “Gradual Increase” 32-Pounder of 63 Hundredweight cast in 1824. Records indicate this cannon was aboard USS Potomac in 1849.
Model 1821 32-Pounder Carronade cast in 1827.
The breech of the carronade. Note that the cascabel is intended for use with an elevating screw.
Model 1846 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight - Corroded from its use as a bollard at Norfolk Navy Yard.
Model 1846 32-Pounder of 57 Hundredweight Rifled and Banded. This cannon has been the subject of its own post. In the foreground is a 24-Pounder iron howitzer carried aboard CSS Georiga.
9-Inch Dahlgren which served aboard USS Brooklyn. This cannon has been the subject of its own post.
