Famous Confederate Ironclad’s Cannon Now on Public Display

Navy News ^ | 10/22/2003

[stainlessbanner]

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Naval Historical Center (NHC) recently transferred a 9-inch Civil War-era Dahlgren cannon, originally from the famous Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, to the Fredericksburg Area Museum, Fredericksburg, Va.

This cannon, named after its designer, Rear Adm. John A. Dahlgren, is one of a few surviving artifacts saved from the famous ironclad, and was one of six cannons that were used by the ship.

Built from the scuttled remains of the Union sloop of war USS Merrimack, Virginia set out against the blockading Union fleet off Norfolk, Va., March 7, 1862.

The next day, this particular Dahlgren cannon was damaged during Virginia's rampage through the Union wooden ship line in which it sank sloop of war USS Cumberland, shelled the frigate USS Congress into submission, and attacked the grounded steam frigate USS Minnesota.

On the 9th, Virginia battled the Union ironclad USS Monitor in their famous action, in which the two ships fought to a virtual draw and revolutionized sea warfare.

Virginia did not see any more action, and two months later, in order to prevent capture, the crew scuttled it. But this cannon had been removed for repairs before the ship had to be destroyed, and thus was saved. Union forces later captured it as a war trophy.

Prior to the transfer, the artifact had been on display for many years at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, in King George's County, Va.

"This Dahlgren cannon was part of a famous naval battle that impacted the war. Our primary reason for obtaining the cannon was to educate people," said Mary Dellinger, vice president and curator of the Fredericksburg Area Museum.

The monstrous 8,300-pound smoothbore weapon was placed in front of the museum, with its war and time weary barrel directed towards the coffee shop.

Thus far, there has been overwhelming public reaction to the new addition. "Visitors love it, look at it, point and touch it as if they're not suppose to touch it. They are very excited!" said Dellinger.

The Fredericksburg Area Museum is fortunate, because this is the first time the cannon has been lent to a museum for public display, and will be on loan for three years.

The museum ultimately plans to open an exhibit in 2004 about the nearby Dahlgren Surface Warfare Center, and the cannon, designed by Center namesake Adm. Dahlgren, is a perfect addition.

For related news, visit the Naval Historical Center Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navhist.

[stainlessbanner]

031021-O-0000B-001 Navy Historical Center -- In this Matthew Brady photograph, a nine-inch Dahlgren gun on a slide-pivot mounting is seen in operation aboard a U.S. Navy warship during the Civil War. A similar gun, originally mounted on the famous Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, was recently loaned to the Fredericksburg Area Museum, Fredericksburg, Va., for a three-year exhibit. On March 9, 1862, CSS Virginia battled the Union ironclad USS Monitor in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads, an action in which the two ships fought to a virtual draw and revolutionized sea warfare. U.S. Navy file photo. (RELEASED)

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I always found the famous painting of the Monitor and
Merrimack to be wrong.
The Merrimack was not an ironclad.

[CatoRenasci]

The Yankees wrote the histories, and referred to the C.S.S. Virginia by it's old federal navy name "Merrimack".