The 32-Pounders of Old North Cemetery, Weymouth
US Navy 32-Pounder of 51 Hundredweight Number 87 at the Old North Cemetery in Weymouth, Massachusetts
Many thanks to my sister for taking these photos!
Four US Navy 32-Pounders of 51 Hundredweight surround a Monument dedicated to the Soldiers and Sailors of Weymouth, Massachusetts who died during the American Civil War. The monument was dedicated in 1868 and lists each man by his unit and the circumstances of his death. The fearsome toll taken by disease during the war can clearly be seen etched in stone. The cannons were likely placed later in the 19th century.
The cemetery dates back to 1636 and includes the graves of dozens of veterans - including that of Captain John Holbrook who served in King Philips War of 1673-1675. A listing of the veterans buried and a map of the cemetery can be found on the website of the Weymouth Historical Society.
The cannons are 32-Pounders of 51 Hundredweight. Part of the system of ordnance adopted by the US Navy in 1845, this weight of 32-Pounder was intended to be a chase gun aboard the navy’s larger sailing frigates and ships of the line. It fired a 32-Pound solid shot with an (up to) 8 pound charge of powder as propellant.
One hundred two 32-Pounders of this type cast were for the Navy in 1846-1847 (all by Tredegar Foundry in Richmond, Virginia), but only thirteen are known to exist. Nine of those which exist may be found in Massachusetts: these four in Weymouth four more in Lowell Cemetery, and another in Highland Cemetery in Norwood. Together these form a consecutive set of registry numbers from 82 to 90. (Number 81 is in Waseca, Minnesota.)
The four cannons are:
US Navy 32-Pounder 51 Cwt Number 87 cast at Tredegar Foundry in 1847. Weight as cast 51-1-08 Hundredweight (5,708 pounds)
US Navy 32-Pounder 51 Cwt Number 88 cast at Tredegar Foundry in 1847, weight as cast 51-2-02 (5,770 pounds)
US Navy 32-Pounder 51 Cwt Number 89 cast at Tredegar Foundry in 1847, weight as cast 51-2-00 (5,768 pounds)
US Navy 32-Pounder 51 Cwt Number 90 cast at Tredegar Foundry in 1847, weight as cast 51-2-02 (5,770 pounds)
