This is a naval 32-pounder carronade, cast in 1820, which sailed aboard the USS Columbus until the 1840's. On April 20, 1861, the Columbus was sunk by Union forces retreating from Norfolk Naval Yard, to prevent her capture by the Confederacy.
This piece was loaned to Fort Macon State Park in 2011, to represent the six carronades that the Confederates had on hand during the Union siege of April, 1862. These carronades were initially mounted in the counterfire batteries along the inside of the dry moat, but were repurposed during the siege to use as mortars against the besiegers...no word as to how effective they were in this role, though one suspects not very.
This piece was loaned to Fort Macon State Park in 2011, to represent the six carronades that the Confederates had on hand during the Union siege of April, 1862. These carronades were initially mounted in the counterfire batteries along the inside of the dry moat, but were repurposed during the siege to use as mortars against the besiegers...no word as to how effective they were in this role, though one suspects not very.
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