USS Navy 100-Pounder Parrott Rifle of USS Franklin
USS Navy Parrott Rifle, Registry Number 165, is displayed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
US Navy 100-Pounder Parrott Rifle, Number 165, is displayed in Trophy Park at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Manufactured at West Point Foundry in 1863, Number 165 weighs 9,727 pounds. According to the research of Wayne Stark, Number 165 served aboard USS Franklin - likely from the time of her commissioning until at least 1872.
USS Franklin was a steam frigate built as a substitute for the earlier ship of the line of the same name. Even though Franklin’s construction began in 1853, she was not launched until 1864. She commissioned in 1867 as the flagship of Admiral David Farragut. Serving with the European squadron, USS Franklin entertained many distinguished naval officers, diplomats, and royals - including the Prince off Wales, the future Edward VII.
Displayed at Trophy Park on “Cannon Row”, 100-Pounder Parrott Number 165 sits between a 9-Inch Dahlgren smoothbore and an 8-Inch Muzzle Loading Rifle (which was converted from an 11-Inch Dahlgren Smoothbore).
USS Franklin in European Waters - Naval History and Heritage Command: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-92000/NH-92051.html
Admiral Farragut aboard USS Franklin. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-49000/NH-49527.html
100-Pounder Number 165 (right) sits next to a 9-Inch Dahlgren
100-Pounder Number 165 (left) sits next to a 9-Inch Dahlgren
100-Pounder Number 165 is between a 9-Inch Dahlgren (foreground) and 8-Inch Muzzle Loading Rifle (background)
The Breech of Number 165
The Registry Number and Weight can be seen stamped on the breech of Number 165.
