The Single Banded Brooke Rifles of CSS Atlanta
Four Brooke Rifles carried aboard CSS Atlanta are displayed as trophies at the Washington Navy Yard.
Four Single-Banded Brooke Rifles manufactured by Tredegar in 1862 are displayed as trophies in Willard Park at the Washington Navy Yard. Together the four cannons are the complete main armament of the ironclad CSS Atlanta. Atlanta was converted into a casemate ironclad at Savannah in 1862-1863 from the British merchant steamship Fingal. She was captured after a 15-minute action against the monitors USS Weehawken and USS Nahant. Weehawken’s 15-Inch Dahlgren was able to cause significant damage to Atlanta. Atlanta’s own cannon did not succeed in hitting the monitors, and because Atlanta grounded, the two US Navy monitors were able to position themselves outside the arcs of fire of the Atlanta’s cannons.
The contrast between this engagement and the battle the previous year between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia underlines the power of the 15-Inch Dahlgren. USS Monitor’s two 11-Inch Dahlgrens had been unable to disable CSS Virginia just as Virginia’s two 7-Inch Brookes, two 6.4-Inch Brookes and six 9-Inch Dahlgrens had been similarly unable to disable Monitor. CSS Atlanta carried the same number of Brooke Rifles as Virginia. She had similar armor. The 15-Inch Dahlgren carried by Weehawken smashed through that armor.
After her capture, Atlanta was recommissioned into the United States Navy as USS Atlanta. She was rearmed with two 8-Inch Parrott Rifles and two 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifles. Her original Brooke Rifles were taken to the Washington Navy Yard, where they represent the majority of existent single-banded Brookes.
Three of the four Brookes have an engraving on their breech describing their capture. One of the 6.4-Inch Brookes reads: “Brooke 100Pdr Rifle from Rebel Ram Atlanta captured by US Monitor Weehawken Commodore John Rodgers .”
The weights of the four Brookes are stamped upon their breeches. The 7-Inch Brookes read 15,162 pounds and 15,315 pounds. The 6.4-Inch Brookes read 9,110 pounds and 9,120 pounds.
USS Atlanta, now rearmed with two 8-Inch and two 6.4-Inch Parrott Rifles on the James River in US Navy service in 1864-1865. National Archives Photo: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/527533
From left to right: Single-Banded 7-Inch, Single Banded 6.4-Inch, Single Banded 7-Inch, Single Banded 6.4-Inch
6.4-Inch Brooke of CSS Atlanta - Trophy Engraving upon breech reads: “Brooke 100Pdr Rifle from Rebel Ram Atlanta captured by US Monitor Weehawken Commodore John Rodgers .”
6.4-Inch Brooke of CSS Atlanta - Trophy Engraving upon breech reads: “Brooke 100Pdr Rifle from Rebel Ram Atlanta captured by US Monitor Weehawken Commodore John Rodgers .”
From nearest to farthest: 6.4-Inch Brooke, 7-Inch Brooke, 6.4-Inch Brooke, 7-Inch Brooke
The single band of the Brooke rifle was actually several smaller rings placed tightly together. The line between the individual rings can be seen in this photo.
The weight of this 7-Inch Brooke rifle as manufactured (15,162 pounds) may be seen on the breech.
This 6.4-Inch Brooke rifle shows a weight of 9,120 pounds
6.4-Inch Brooke Rifle (left) and 7-Inch Brooke Rifle (right)
6.4-Inch Brooke Rifle from CSS Atlanta
6.4-Inch Brooke Rifle from CSS Atlanta
CSS Atlanta's Brooke Rifles
Model of CSS Atlanta displayed at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, Georgia
Detail of model of CSS Atlanta at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, Georgia
