Biography

Dahlgren was an American inventor. He invented the smooth-bore cannon, also known as the “soda-water bottle.” These cannons were used in the Civil War. In 1826 he joined the U.S. Navy and became an ordinance officer at the Washington Navy Yard in 1847. This is when he began making his cannon. He did not resign at the outbreak of the Civil War (one of only three who did not at the Washington Navy Yard). Because of this he was promoted to captain and, in 1863, became rear admiral. He returned to the Washington Navy Yard and became Commandant by the time he died.