Navy Yard in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Leutze Park Gun Collection

Historic Precinct Walking Tour

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2008

1. Leutze Park Gun Collection Marker

Inscription. Captured naval guns representing battle trophies of conflicts from the Barbary War to Spanish American War parallel the Dahlgren Avenue axis of the Navy Yard in Leutze Park. These guns are smooth bore muzzle loaders of eighteenth and nineteenth century manufacture. One gun, Trophy No. 18 was captured twice, once from the Bey of Algiers in the Barbary War and a second time from the Confederates States in the Civil War after it had been emplaced in the Norfolk Navy Yard. Leutze Park is used for frequent ceremonial events such as full arrival honors for foreign dignitaries and change of command and retirement exercises. (Marker Number No 8.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 38° 52.534′ N, 76° 59.692′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Navy Yard. Marker is on Dahlgren Avenue Southeast south of Tingey Crescent Southeast, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located inside the Washington Navy Yard, at the west side of Leutze Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Optical Tower - Second Officers House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Washington Navy Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Latrobe Gate - Tingey House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Second Officer's House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Center for Naval History - The Navy Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley Knox Center for Naval History (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leutze Park - Marine Corps Historical Center (about 300 feet away); Naval Historical Foundation (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2008

2. Leutze Park Gun Collection Marker

Several of the bronze guns line the sides of Dahlgren Avenue.

Spanish and French Bronze Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2008

3. Spanish and French Bronze Cannon

Pictured here are two Spanish 27-pounder cannon (closest and furthest of the four from the camera) flanking two French 12-pounder cannon (in the middle).

Japanese 36-pounder Bronze Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2008

4. Japanese 36-pounder Bronze Gun

From the plaque below the gun:
This gun was part of the armament of the batteries guarding the Shimonoseki Straits, bombarded and silenced on 5-6 September 1864, by an allied naval squadron which included the chartered American armed steamer Ta Kiang. This operation is credited with ending a growing anti-foreign movement in western Japan. The prominent bases for front and rear sights, of particular importance for long-ranged seacoast gunnery, are unusual.

Trophy number 18 - "El Toro" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 21, 2008

5. Trophy number 18 - "El Toro"

This Spanish 12-pounder is listed as trophy number 18. But unlike the text of the marker, the plaque below the gun states "El Toro" was originally captured during the Mexican American War. It was later recovered from the Confederates when Norfolk was reoccupied in 1862.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,867 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.