Civil War’s “The Dictator” Gun Before the USS Indiana battleship sailed with her 13 inch guns, the US Navy was installing big guns on their ships in the Civil War.
In fact, one of these big guns, named “The Dictator” was a 13 inch monster that put fear into the hearts of anyone who saw it.
The Federal 13-inch Seacoast Mortar, Model 1861 was designed to fire in a high arcing trajectory, coming down on targets, this weapon could lob an almost 200 pound shell out to 4,300 yards.
Moreover, the gun was not very mobile (weighing over 17,000 pounds), and slow to load and fire. Mainly used in siege warfare, for firing over walls and plunging down inside fortifications.
Fred Gallup of the 8th Connecticut regiment wrote in a letter:
“Day before yesterday, in an experiment, three shells from a 13 inch mortar was turned into or towards the city from off of a platform car. The third shot broke the frame. They are now constructing a heavier one.” —1862-65: Frederick Gallup to his Family
During the later part of the first year of the Civil War, there was a new 1861 Mortar model design. During the manufacturing phase, only 8 of the new 10″ models were produced.
The guns were manufactured by the Cyrus & Alger Co., and weighed approximately 7,300 lbs and took a 12 lb charge. Furthermore, could shoot a 98 lb projectile to a range of up to 2.5 miles, when fired at a 45 degree angle of elevation.
On one occasion, after firing five rounds on July 11th, the recoil of the mortar broke the flatcar it was sitting on, despite the flatcar’s reinforcement with iron rods and plates.
As a result, the car needed repair and reinforcements before the gun returned to action. In addition, during the Battle of the Crater on 30 July 1864, the Dictator fired 19 rounds in support of the Union attack.
Amazingly enough it wasn’t even the biggest gun used in the Civil War, in fact below we see a 15 inch gun!
