Mackinaw Township in Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons
| | Mackinaw City Historical Pathway | |
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
1. Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons Marker
These cannons are famous
Admiral David Farragut made these guns famous in the Civil War during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Tied to the mast of the USS Hartford to see over the smoke the cannons created, he is quoted as saying "Damn the torpedoes (mines) Full speed ahead." This Union victory in 1864 gave the Union control of the last Confederate port in the Gulf of Mexico.
Look closely at the USS Hartford to see it is powered by both sail and steam. Also, note the men on the bowsprit and in small boats near the bow of this 225-foot long sloop-of-war.
How they worked
Two sets of lines and the men to handle the cannon's location. The taught lines on the diagram above were pulled to thrust the cannon barrel out the port hole. The loose set constrained the cannon during its recoil.
Sixteen men ran the muzzle-loaded cannon out, fired it and ran it back in for cleaning and re-loading. If the men were well trained they could fire every 40 seconds. The load was a 9-inch cast-iron shell loaded with 13 pounds of charge. Its range was two miles.
How many tons does this cannon and its Marsilly carriage weigh? Look
this page online
Erected 2022.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 45° 46.859′ N, 84° 43.522′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. It is in Mackinaw Township. It is on South Huron Avenue south of East Central Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located in Mackinaw City Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, on the Straits of Mackinac, and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Guardian Spirit (a
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024
2. Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons and Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Mackinaw's Civil War Cannons (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Algomah (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); American Legion Memorial (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
3. Mackinaw's Veterans Memorial and Civil War Dahlgren Cannons
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
4. Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
5. Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons
From the Brady-Handy photograph collection, Library of Congress Washington DC (Public Domain), circa 1865
6. Admiral David Farragut
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
