Old cannons for a new museum

Image by U.S. Naval CenterImage by 20090102-alabama2.jpg

The Post and Courier ran an interesting front page story today about the fate of some recovered Civil War cannons. The cannons were once used by the USS Alabama, a notorious Confederate ship known for its on-sea prowess and unrivaled wartime capabilities.

The story describes senior conservator Paul Mardikian's efforts to restore and preserve the cannons so they can be displayed in the Hunley Museum. Some details need to be worked out -- both with the cannons and the construction of the museum -- but it is an exciting piece of information for all those interested in southern history and maritime archeology.

The USS Alabama was built in Britain, sailed around the world, and sunk by the Union in France. But now, with the restored cannons finding a place in Charleston, the story of this adventurous ship is sure to pique interest.

Here's a sample:
No one could touch the speedy Alabama, which could travel under sail or by steam, and no one ever fought back enough to kill any of its crew.

That changed in the summer of 1864, when the Alabama was in France for repairs. The USS Kearsarge caught the Alabama in the English Channel and sank it.

It was lost for 120 years.

Read the entire story here.

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