7-Inch Double Banded Brooke Rifle S81 at the National Civil War Naval Museum

Nov 7

7-Inch Double Banded Brooke Rifle, S81, displayed on “Cannon Row” at the National Civil War Naval Museum

7-Inch Double Banded Brooke Rifle, S81, is displayed overlooking the Chattahoochee River at the National Civil War Naval Museum. S81 is displayed on “Cannon Row” in front of the museum - giving the visitor the opportunity to compare it to other heavy cannons of the American Civil War.

S81 was cast at the Selma Naval Gun Foundry on July 6th, 1864. It was shipped to navy Lt. A. McLaughlin at Columbus, Georgia on September 20th, 1864. It is marked as weighing 14,800 pounds.

S81 was sent to Columbus, Georgia to become part of the armament of the ironclad ram CSS Jackson which had been launched in December 1864. However, CSS Jackson would be captured by United States Army Cavalry under Major General James Wilson in April 1865 following the Battle of Columbus, one of the last battles of the American Civil War. The damaged cascabel of S81 is likely due to the Brooke being aboard when CSS Jackson was burned.

EDIT: A gentleman who is researching Brookes manufactured by Selma states that “S81 was cast at Selma and shipped to Columbus for the CSS Chattahoochee. It replaced a Tredegar cast 6.4-inch single banded rifle that had been on the ship ever since Commander Jones had commanded it. “

Another 7-Inch Double Banded Brooke Rifle, S111, which was part of the armament of CSS Jackson is also displayed at the National Civil War Naval Museum overlooking the river. S111 is regularly used in firing demonstrations at the Museum - likely the heaviest original Civil War artillery piece which is still fired. S85, a 6.4-Inch Brooke, is displayed nearby at Linwood Cemetery.