US Navy 6”/30-Caliber Rifle Mark 3 of USS Maine
US Navy 6”/30-Caliber Gun Mark 3 of USS Maine in Alpena, Michigan
A US Navy 6-Inch / 30-Caliber Gun, Mark 3, is displayed in Alpena, Michigan. It was mounted on USS Maine. Maine, of course, suffered a major explosion in Havana Harbor in 1898 - an event that was a catalyst for the Spanish American War. It is mounted upon its original central pivot Vavasseur mounting.
Maine mounted six of these guns as her secondary battery. Another gun and mounting (with its shield) is in the collection of Naval History and Heritage Command. It is in storage but I believe it is earmarked for eventual display in the to-be-built new National Museum of the United States Navy. Another 6-inch gun, without its mounting, is on display in Fort Allen Park in Portland, Maine.
For those unfamiliar with the terminology around later artillery, the “caliber” here refers to the length of the barrel. “30-caliber” refers to a barrel that is 30 lengths of the bore diameter (6 inches). Therefore the barrel is 15 feet long.
The gun in Alpena was brought to the city by the efforts of congressman George A. Loud in 1912. It was dedicated on July 4th, 1912. It is displayed in front of City Hall.
The 6-Inch Gun of USS Maine may be seen in front of Alpena City Hall.
