The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

CSS Alabama Gun

A follow up on the earlier entry on the gun's arrival in Mobile, Alabama. From Fox 10 TV in Mobile.

They report that there are many artifacts from the Alabama on display at the Museum of Mobile and evidently the cannon will become the centerpiece of a 700 foot display on the ship and its captain, Rafael Semmes. City of Mobile carpenters are currently building a carriage for it.

The gun is one of six 32-pdrs on the vessel and weighs 5000 pounds and is ten feet long. There were two other heavier calibre pivot guns.

Three of the six 32-pdrs have been recovered from the sea. One is at the Washington, DC Navy Yard and the other still at North Charleston, SC, where this one was preserved. This one is on long-term loan from the US Naval History and heritage Command in Washington, DC.

David Alsobrook, director of the museum, says, "Since Admiral Raphael Semmes' postwar residence and his grave site are in Mobile, I think our Museum is the logical home for the artifact.

Back With the Admiral. --Old B-R

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