Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
6.4 (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle
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7 Brooke Rifle
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
1. 6.4” (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle / 7” Brooke Rifle Marker
6.4” (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle
Designed by Robert Parker Parrott at the outbreak of the Civil War, the Parrott Rifle became one of the most used rifled artillery pieces during the war. With shells that exploded on impact, rifled guns such as the Parrott Rifle spelled the end of masonry fortifications. In the 1870s, the U.S. Army attempted to modernize Fort Morgan by shipping several 6.4” (100pdr.) Parrott Rifles to the fort to improve its armament.
7” Brooke Rifle
At the beginning of the Civil War, Confederate authorities were faced with the challenge of designing and manufacturing weapons comparable to those of the U.S. Governments. The Brooke Rifle, designed by John Mercer Brooke, was the solution to the U.S. Governments Parrott Rifle. Fort Morgan was armed with two 7” Double Banded Brooke Rifles at the time of the siege in 1864.
The Brooke Rifle on display, number “S89”, was cast at the Confederate Naval Works in Selma, Alabama after the surrender of Fort Morgan. Mounted in a fortification north of Mobile, it was dumped into the river at the conclusion of the war.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 30°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast and in Mobile Bay. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, 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: The Overland Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Colors of Significance: Historic Flags of Mobile Point (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Model 1918M1 155mm Gun and Model 1918A1 Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); The Citadel (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayettes Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Thomas (1898-1917) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battery Schenck (1899-1923) (about 300 feet away); Citadel (1825-1865) (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulf Shores.
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
2. 6.4” (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle / 7” Brooke Rifle Marker
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
3. 6.4” (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle / 7” Brooke Rifle Marker
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
4. Top Left Image:
A 6.4” Parrott Rifle in the defenses around Washington D.C. during the Civil War. (NARA)
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
5. Bottom Right Image:
One of two of Fort Morgans Double Banded Brookes photographed after the forts surrender. (NARA)
Photographed by Timothy Carr, June 19, 2013
6. 7” Brooke Rifle
Photographed by Timothy Carr, September 3, 1988
7. 6.4” (100 pounder) Parrott Rifle
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 4,450 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 2, 2013, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
