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Fort McHenry Cannon Breech Failure After Weeklong Celebration

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Published Date

September 22, 2014

An historical reproduction cannon fires at Fort McHenry National Monument. A similar cannon had a breech failure, with no injuries, on September 16, 2014.

Ending the ten-day celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, one of the reproduction historic cannons failed at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

On September 16th at approximately 11:30 a.m., the park’s living history gun crew used black powder to fire a salute to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and The Pride of Baltimore II, passing ships, as part of the weeklong series of events dedicated to celebrating the Star-Spangled Banner’s 200th anniversary.

Some of the celebratory events included battlefield tours, wreath-laying at Battle Acre and display of the Maryland Historical Society replica Star-Spangled Banner flag. On Tuesday, September 9th, more than 6,600 Maryland students and their chaperones created the largest ever 15 stars and 15 stripes Star-Spangled Banner Living Flag. The original creation of the Living Flag was in 1914 when 6,500 participants joined in honor of the Centennial.

 The black powder firing caused the reproduction cannon’s breech (the mass of metal at the rear end of the cannon) to dislodge causing one of the cannon crew to suffer from minor flash burns on one hand. No spectators were injured.

 The NPS suspended the black powder historic weapons firing program at Fort McHenry.

 About Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine

Fort McHenry was built before the War of 1812 and named after James McHenry who was the Secretary of War (1796-1800). The star-shaped Fort McHenry’s valiant defense against the might of the British navy inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner, during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814, making it famous as the birthplace of our National Anthem. The 15 broad stripes and 15 bright stars still fly over the fort 24 hours a day, seven day

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Comments

Submitted by BlueRoads on September 23, 2014 - 2:03pm.

Was that failure the entire breech, or just the vent plug. That can be rather easily repaired with a new brass plug.


Submitted by Bill Swartwout on December 7, 2015 - 7:17pm.

I have some photos here: http://www.billswartwout.com/near-disaster-at-fort-mchenry-as-replica-ca... - that may answer your question.

I will soon post an update on the last of "making it right" to repair/replace the defective cannon. 


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