US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifles in Salem, Ohio

Sep 30

Two US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifles are displayed at the Veterans Memorial at Hope Cemetery in Salem, Ohio.

Two US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifles are displayed in Salem, Ohio. They were loaned by the Navy to the Trescott Post Number 10, Grand Army of the Republic, in Salem, Ohio in October of 1899. The Monument bears a dedication date of 1900. The two 20-Pounders are:

US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Number 130 which was cast at West Point Foundry in 1862. As manufactured it weighed 1,775 pounds. US Navy records show that it served aboard USS San Jacinto at some point following her 1862 refit until she wrecked in 1865. It was fired only 15 times through February of 1865.
US Navy 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Number 258 which was cast in 1863 at West Point Foundry. As manufactured it weighed 1,730 pounds. US Navy records show that it served on USS Union.

The 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle is a 3.67-Inch cast-iron rifled cannon with a wrought iron reinforcing band over the breech. It was the second smallest rifle in the Parrott system and the smallest used by the US Navy. With a two pound propellant charge, the 20-Pounder could fire its shell (usually slightly under the named 20 pounds) up to 4,400 yards at 15 degrees elevation. The type was widely used by the US Navy during the American Civil War. It could be carried upon even the most lightly built former merchant steamer. Many were also carried upon purpose built warships - often as a forecastle chase gun.

USS San Jacinto was one of the first screw steamers to served in the US Navy, being commissioned in 1850. She is most remembered today for her role in the Trent Affair. She was taken out of commission at the end of 1861 and refitted. After recommissioning in March of 1862, she served most of the remainder of the war on the East Gulf Blockading Squadron - often as flagship. She was lost after she struck a reef in the Bahamas on January 1st, 1865.

USS Union was a merchant steamer taken into service in 1861. After initial service on the blockade, Union was refitted as a supply and dispatch vessel in 1863. Number 258 seems to have been brought aboard by November of 1863. It may have been the ship’s only armament during this period.