About Those Exploding 100-Pdr. Parrott Rifles at the First Battle of Fort Fisher-- Part 2: Killed & Wounded More Union Sailors Than the Confederates

The Navy looked on these large caliber Parrotts with much disdain.  They were prone to bursting.

In fact, when the Union Navy attacked Fort Fisher in North Carolina on December 24-15, 1864, several Parrott rifles burst, killing and wounding 45 sailors.

Confederate fire only killed 11 sailors in the engagement.

These tragic occurrences caused Captain James Alden of the USS Brooklyn to move his two 100-pdrs. to the side of the ship that was not facing the fort after that.

--Old B-Runner