Firing the Cannon for the 150th

April 2 was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma, and members 

of the Jeff Davis Artillery fired a cannon across the Alabama River

 at the 3 p.m. battle time as part of the official commemoration.

The small, six-pound experimental Brooke cannon was made in Selma in 1864 

and used to designed the steel versions. After the War Between the States

 was over, the cannon was shipped to a warehouse in Virginia but returned 

to the city in the 1930s.  It was placed with another one

 at the Selma Waterworks until one was stolen. 

Then, this one was moved to safekeeping.

Thanks to guest photographer Christine Weerts for the photo!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

Summer Oasis

The municipal park between City Hall and the library is a cool place

 to be in summer. This is the first year that I've noticed these

 shade-loving begonias planted around the trees.

Now go ahead, take a seat over there on the bench near the Brooke Cannon.

 But wait, why isn't the fountain on?

 I'll have to check on that!

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

Brooke Cannon Conversation

A small model of the Brooke Cannon at the Old Depot Museum caught the interest of Truman Shaw, right, of Montevallo. Shaw was among a group of 15 people from Montevallo's First Baptist Church Silver Club who toured the museum this morning. At left, museum curator Jean Martin explains the history of the cannon, which was manufactured in Selma during the Civil War. In fact, the cannon and other Confederate munitions have a Montevallo connection. The iron used by Selma's arsenal and naval yard was shipped by rail from ironworks at Montevallo and Tannehill.
Read more about the Brooke Cannon HERE.

Brooke Cannon Restored

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.

The Brooke Cannon

Here is the only Brooke cannon that ever fired a shot in anger.

Manufactured in Selma during the Civil War, this cannon was mounted on the CSS Tennessee, which at that time was a new and powerful warship, also built here. Named for Ordnance Officer John Brooke, the cannon was designed to punch holes in Union ironclads. It was very accurate, mounted to fire in three directions and could zing a 100-pound shell four and a half miles.

Other Brooke cannons were manufactured in Richmond, Va. Shipped via the Alabama River to Mobile in 1864, this cannon defended Mobile Bay in the deadliest naval battle of the war. When Union ironclad Tecumseh sank within two minutes after striking underwater torpedoes, Union Adm. David Farragut uttered his famous words: "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Then the CSS Tennessee plowed out to meet the enemy virtually alone. After a fierce fight, she lost the ability to fire the cannons, was surrounded and had to surrender.

While casualties totaled around 315 for the Union (most on the Tecumseh), only 22 Confederates lost their lives, but they ultimately lost the battle.

After its capture, the CSS Tennessee became the USS Tennessee and was retired for scrap metal a few years after the war. this particular Brooke cannon eventually returned to Selma more than a century later. It is mounted on the grounds of the municipal complex. Now, its base has deteriorated, and the paint is flaking. Funds have been raised for its renovation.