US Navy 24-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzer at Shiloh
US Navy 24-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzer Number 656 is displayed at Shiloh National Military Park.
US Navy 24-Pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzer Number 656 is displayed at Shiloh National Military Park. (Many thanks to James Murray for sharing these photos with us!) It was cast in 1864 by Ames. As manufactured it weighed 1305 pounds. This boat howitzer has a portion of its hammer still in place - and a something (a projectile?) lodged in the tube.
Though Dahlgren designed the 24-Pounder Boat Howitzer for use aboard the boats of frigates, during the American Civil War the type saw considerable use as light armament aboard ships. Recently posted photos on my page of USS Mendota showed boat howitzers mounted on the upper deck just forward and aft of the paddle wheels. From this position they could provide suppressive fire against infantry or field artillery firing from the shore.
Only thirty seven of these 24-Pounders were produced from 1849 to 1860. However, 975 would be manufactured during the war by both Cyrus Alger and Ames.
This particular 24-Pounder is recorded as serving aboard USS Dryad. This vessel has a very brief entry in the Official Records. She is described only as a gunboat which in March of 1864 carried two 24-Pounders. Later she carried 6 24-Pounders.
