The following images are of a gun which, according to the plaque on the gun, was taken from the wreckage of the Spanish Cruiser VIZCAYA. More in-depth research by Richard Sweeney and Al Sumrall has indicated that the gun actually came from the Spanish Flagship at the Battle of Santiago, the INFANTA MARIA TERESA. The weapon was manufactured by Nordenfelt. The gun appears to be a 57 mm gun, Mark II gun, one of eight carried by the vessel.
Today, the gun rests outside of the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, Massachusetts. The gun is on the side of the building that faces Merrimack Street. The gun still shows damage received in the Battle of Santiago.
The Gun:
This is an image of the gun as seen from the side. The base of the
gun is engraved as follows on the bronze ring:
"Trophy"
"Maria Teresa"
"Battle of Santiago"
"July 3rd, 1898"
In the upper right, damage can be seen on the gun's shield from the
fire of the American guns. The shot came from behind, so we can assume
that this gun may have been on the ship's starboard side, the side
that faced away from the American squadron. The damage appears to be
from a shell approximately the size of a 5 inch projectile.
This is the plaque that appears on the gun. It reads ""Taken from the
Spanish Cruiser "VIZCAYA"
after the Naval Battle at Santiago - July 3d
1898 - Presented by Charles H. Allen Assistant Secretary U.S. Navy -
June 1899" Interestingly, the plaque is in error (see inscription on
gun, quoted above)
Mortera, Artemio - Gun caliber and mark confirmation.
Summral, Al, correspondence with editor.