US Navy 12-Pounder Boat Howitzers at Manassas National Battlefield
Two US Navy 12-Pounder Boat Howitzers, Heavy, at Manassas National Battlefield Park
Two US Navy 12-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzers, Heavy, are displayed at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The two howitzers are:
12-Pounder Boat Howitzer, Heavy, Number 45 manufactured by the Washington Navy Yard in 1856. Weight as manufactured was 757 pounds.
12-Pounder Boat Howitzer, Heavy. Unknown. Nearly all markings have been polished off this howitzer, so nothing can be known of its place of manufacture, weight, or service.
Number 45 was placed on board USS Lancaster, according to US Navy Bureau of Ordnance Records, and served upon that ship until 1867. After 1867 Number 45 seems to have seen no further service afloat. USS Lancaster served on the Pacific Station throughout the American Civil War, thereby missing the battles that her near sisters Hartford, Brooklyn, Richmond, and Pensacola fought.
Both howitzers were eventually loaned to Fairfax County where they were displayed near the old courthouse. In November of 2020 they were moved to Manassas National Battlefield Park. There they are situated on Matthews Hill and the represent the two boat howitzers brought into action that day by the 71st New York State Militia. The 71st NYSM had guarded the Washington Navy Yard in the first weeks of the war and had joined several expeditions on the Potomac River. John Dahlgren presented two boat howitzers to the 71st. The 71st used the boat howitzers effectively during the 1st Battle of Manassas, but they had to abandon them during the retreat which followed. It is unknown which two boat howitzers Dahlgren presented to the 71st.
Number 45’s manufacture at the Washington Navy Yard and weight of 757 pounds can be seen on the breech of the boat howitzer.
USS Lancaster during the Civil War
