Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 2, 2020
1. Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch Marker
Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch
S-53
1864
Confederate Naval Foundry & Ordnance Works
Selma, Alabama
10,600 pounds
142 length
On loan from United States General Services Administration
The VI.4-inch Brooke has been called the, quintessential Confederate cannon, It was designed by John Mercer Brooke, former aide to Gen. Robert E. Lee and Chief of Naval Ordnance for the Confederacy. Rifled weapons were powerful and accurate, and were intended to penetrate the hulls of a new generation of ironclad warships. This cannon was shipped from Alabama to the Mars Bluff Naval Yard on July 13, 1864.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 13, 1864.
Location. 34° 11.085′ N, 79° 45.358′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It can be reached from the intersection of East National Cemetery Road and South Gaillard Street, on the left when traveling west. This Cannon was placed on the C.S.S. Peedee positioned at the stern. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 707 East National Cemetery Road, Florence SC
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Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: All Gave Some Some Gave All (a few steps from this marker); Guns of the CSS Peedee (a few steps from this marker); Brooke Rifled Cannon, VII-inch (a few steps from this marker); Dahlgren, IX-inch (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Union Burials (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carillon (about 800 feet away); Florence National Cemetery (about 800 feet away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 2, 2020
2. Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch Marker
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
3. Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch CSS Peedee stern gun
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
4. Brooke Rifled Cannon, VI.4-inch Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
