Port Hudson in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle
Model 1861
January 4, 2019
1. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
Robert Parker Parrott, a former U.S. army officer, invented a series of rifled, reinforced-breech, iron cannon. The cannon were manufactured at the West Point Foundry in Cold Springs, New York, and were made in different calibers: 10-pounder (2.9-inch), 10-pounder (3-inch), 20-pounder (3.67-inch), 30-pounder (4.2 -inch), 60- pounder (5.3-inch), 100-pounder (6.4-inch), 200-pounder (8-inch) and 300-pounder (10-inch).
The U.S. army adopted the 3.67-inch, or 20-pounder Parrott in 1861. The 20-pounder Parrotts were some of the first rifled cannon and some of the heaviest cannon used by the field or light artillery. They were not popular due to their excessive weight.
The Confederate army used captured Parrotts and manufactured some of their own. The Tredegar Foundry in Richmond Virginia was one of the sources for domestically produced Parrott rifles.
Specifications:
Length • 89.5 inches
Weight• 1750 pounds
Bore diameter • 3.67 inches
Range • 4400 yards
Solid shot weight • 19.75 pounds
Case shot weight • 19.5 pounds
Shell weight • 18.75 pounds
Powder charge • 2 pounds
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 30° 41.586′ N, 91° 16.56′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Field Artillery Limber (a few steps from this marker); Union Battery No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hudson (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hudson Peace Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Navy 42-Pounder Gun, Model 1816 On Barbette Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Navy 8 - Inch Shell Gun (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. Navy 32 Pounder Gun (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Battery No. 6 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hudson.
More about this marker. Located in kiosk just outside of Port Hudson Historic Site museum.
January 4, 2019
2. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
3. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
4. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
5. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
January 4, 2019
6. U.S. Army 20-Pounder Parrott Rifle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 19, 2019.
