Plymouth in Washington County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Replica 6.4 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon

Confederate Naval Cannon from the CSS Albemarle

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 28, 2012

1. Replica 6.4 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon Marker

Inscription. The Brooke Rifle is named after its developer, Commander John Mercer Brooke (CSA), who served as Chief, Dept. of Ordnance and Hydrography. While closely resembling the popular Parrott Gun used by the Union, the Brooke Rifle is considered to be the finest cannon of the war on either side. Being doubled banded, (reinforced at the breech with two bands of iron), made it much safer than the single banded Parrott Guns. The fact that the bore of the Brooke had rifling, or spiraled grooves in the barrel to spin the projectile, made it extremely accurate.

It was a breech loading gun that fired shells and solid shot that weighed close to 100 lbs. The CSS Albemarle’s original gun was produced in 1863 at Richmond’s Tredegar (sp) Iron Works and weighed 10,420 lbs. Iron cannon were much cheaper to use in construction than the bronze used in earlier cannon. However, as the war progressed, the quality of the iron declined. The later iron guns were prone to exploding when fired, often killing members of the gun crew.

Visit the Port O’ Plymouth Museum to see actual shells fired by the CSS Albemarle’s 6.4 inch Brooke Rifle. The two original Brooke Rifles from the CSS Albenmarle now guard HQ, CIC, US Atlantic Command, Norfolk Navy Base.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil

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• Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 35° 52.112′ N, 76° 44.872′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, North Carolina, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of East Water Street and Madison Street, on the right when traveling west on East Water Street. Located in front of the Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 E Water St, Plymouth NC 27962, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: A different marker also named Battle of Plymouth (a few steps from this marker); CSS Albemarle (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named CSS Albemarle (within shouting distance of this marker); Rt. Rev. Alfred Augustin Watson (within shouting distance of this marker); Latham House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cushing’s Torpedo (about 500 feet away); Washington County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Ram Albemarle (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Plymouth (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Ram Albemarle (was about 700 feet

Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 28, 2012

2. Port O’ Plymouth Roanoke River Museum

away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The Port o’ Plymouth Museum. (Submitted on September 1, 2021.)

Replica 6.4 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 28, 2012

3. Replica 6.4 inch Brooke Rifled Cannon

Inside the "Albemarle" casemate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julian Oliver Davidson (artist) John William Evans (engraver), 1888

4. Inside the "Albemarle" casemate.

From Century magazine.New York Public Library [PC AME-1864]

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,476 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.