US Navy 9-Inch Dahlgren Number 852 of USS Minnesota

Feb 4

US Navy 9-Inch Dahlgren Number 852 may be seen at the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

One of five US Navy 9-Inch Dahlgrens on display at the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia is Number 852. Number 852 was manufactured by Cyrus Alger & Co. in 1864. It’s original weight was 9,240 pounds.

The 9-Inch Dahlgren had been designed by US Navy officer John A. Dahlgren in the 1850s. It was introduced to service aboard the Merrimack-class steam frigates, and by 1861 it was the standard heavy US Navy broadside gun. It was designed to fire a roughly 72-pound explosive shell, though it could also be used to fire a 90-pound shot. It was typically mounted on a two-wheeled Marsilly Carriage. It could also be mounted on a pivot carriage when required.

At the beginning of the American Civil War, the US Navy had on hand 305 9-Inch Dahlgrens. (See 1863 Ordnance Report.) This number does not take into account the number captured at Norfolk in April 1861. Over the course of the war, the Navy would order an additional 885 of the type, including 175 from Cyrus Alger.

Further research is needed to determine if Number 852 saw service during the American Civil War. With its 1864 manufacture date, it is possible that it did. However, an 1875 Logbook of USS Minnesota shows Number 852 aboard at that time. Subsequent logbooks do not list the Dahlgrens individually. According to the DANFS, USS Minnesota commissioned in 1875 to serve as a training ship.

9-Inch Dahlgren Number 852 shows damage consistant with having served as a bollard. A bar was once run through its chase and the cascabel shows corrosion. It also has trunnions shortened for service on an iron carriage.