Albert Marth discovered NGC 6446 = m 347, along with NGC 6447, on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, vS, irr R." His position is accurate. Rudolph Spitaler rediscovered both galaxies on 26 May 1884 while observing Comet 1858 III (AN 2446).

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A pair of mag 14 and 15 stars is 0.9' NNE and 1.2' N of center, respectively. Forms a close pair with NGC 6447 1.9' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb