The Brooke Cannon, located on the grounds of Selma City Hall, underwent extensive restoration this past year. The historic marker placed near it reads:Cast Aug. 24, 1863 in Selma at the Confederate Naval gun Foundry under direction of Commander Catesby ap R. Jones. Was first gun shipped from the Selma Foundry. Served as stern pivot gun on the Selma-built ironclad ram CSS Tennessee. During the Battle of Mobile Bay the wounding of Admiral Franklin Buchanan and the deaths of both men killed aboard the Tennessee occurred at this gun. This is the only surviving naval gun from the Battle of Mobile Bay lcoated in what was the Confederate States of America.
Designed by Lt. John M. Brooke CSN "to be used against Iron-Clads"
Weight 15,300 lbs
Length: 12 feet, 3.5 inches
Range: 7900 yards (4.5 miles)
Brooke Rifles were reported accurate enough to "hit a barrel at a mile every pop."
Captured by the Federal Navy August 5, 1864 and taken to U.S. Navy yard in Washington DC.
Returned on loan to the Selma-Dallas County Museum of History and Archives from the Naval Historical Center.
Designed by Lt. John M. Brooke CSN "to be used against Iron-Clads"
Weight 15,300 lbs
Length: 12 feet, 3.5 inches
Range: 7900 yards (4.5 miles)
Brooke Rifles were reported accurate enough to "hit a barrel at a mile every pop."
Captured by the Federal Navy August 5, 1864 and taken to U.S. Navy yard in Washington DC.
Returned on loan to the Selma-Dallas County Museum of History and Archives from the Naval Historical Center.
A nice old canon where all canons should be. On display and not in war. The difference is huge.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see one of these shoot. A barrel a mile away, thats pretty good for the 1860s right?
ReplyDeleteA nice piece of history. I like your historic district in the background!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful towm. I enjoy your blog. MB
ReplyDeleteNice that the cannon has come home and can have a peaceful old age.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post. I love a history lesson.
ReplyDeleteRestoration! Good. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMari-Nanci
Photos-City-Mine
Interesting! I had no idea they could shoot like that.
ReplyDeletethey did a great job with this- looks brand new!
ReplyDeleteIt looks brand new :-)) I agree with Abraham. I hope they won't use it again! I am very much interested in history too.
ReplyDeleteI WAS BORN IN SELMA AND I REMEMBER WHAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT.BUT I ALSO REMEMBER OTHER THING THAT MADE A CHILD HOOD SO FUN TO LIVE THERE.SANDHILL ON THE WEEKEND WE WOULD GO AND HAVE WEENIE ROAST,AND ON THEWEEKEND WE WOULD GO TO THE ONLY TWO PICTURE SHOWS IN TOWN THE WILBE AND THE WALTON 25CENTS WOULD GET YOU IN AND YOUR COKE,POPCORN,CANDY WHAT A BLAST.THE COTTEN GIN I USE TO WALK BY IT.THE PAPER MILL IT WAS BAD.WE USE TO LIVE ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACK IT WAS NICE DIDN'T NEED A CLOCK.THE BIG HOUESES THEY LOOK LIKE MANIONS THEY NEED TO BE RESTORED THAT ONE ON BROAD IT USE TO BE SO BEAUTIFUL.IT'S NICE TO SEE THE CHRILDREN HOME IS STILL KEPT UP IT IS STILL A CHRILDREN HOME.IT IS NICE TO SEE SOMETHINGS ARE BEING RESTORED.JO
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