Pittsburgh, PA - Captured Spanish Cannon
N 40° 27.130 W 080° 00.111
17T E 584637 N 4478423
An amazing find... at the base of a typical Civil War Monument is... a Spanish cannon! Located in East Park on Pittsburgh's North Side.
Waymark Code: WMZ5C
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 11/19/2006
Views: 80
I thought that I'd be documenting a U.S. Civil War cannon as part of waymarking a Civil War Monument to the Hampton Artillery Battery. But then I saw... Spanish engravings on the cannon?!?! The inscription carved into the mount for the cannon told the story. It is fading after 100 years in the weather, but I think I got it all.
Side 1:
"This cannon presented by the United States Government to Allegheny June 29th 1899. Captured from the Spanish at Santiago Cuba by the Americans under command of Gen'l William C. Shafter July 7, 1898."
Side 2:
"The inscription on the Gun, GRAL ALVAREZ 1809, stands for the man in whose honor the cannon was named. This was General Mariano Alvarez de Castro, a Spanish officer born at Grenada. Distinguised for his resolute defence of Sepona against the French in 1858. He died in prison in the same year. The monogram on the breech of the gun rests on the Spanish Coat of Arms and stands for Isabella V, the reigning sovreign at the time the gun was cast. This was August 18, 1845 and the place Seville, Spain."
("Allegheny" was the name of the separate city on the North Shore of the Allegheny River. It is now part of Pittsburgh.)
What type of artillery is this?: Cannon
Where is this artillery located?: Park
What military of the world used this device?: Spanish Army
Date artillery was in use: 07/07/1898
Date artillery was placed on display: 06/29/1899
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
Still may work: no
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
Cost?: Not Listed
Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.