Experts dig up one-of-a-kind 17th century cannon
Experts dig up one-of-a-kind 17th century cannon
A cannon dating back to the days of Charles I has been unearthed in Bermuda.
Archaeologists believe the cast iron gun was made in the 1640s to arm the naval ship HMS Lion.
The cannon was found in Dockyard and is believed to be the only one of its kind in existence.
It is one of the oldest guns ever discovered on land in Bermuda. The cannon was dug up in September by volunteers at Bastion "I" in Dockyard.
It had been half buried in the ground, undisturbed, for more than 150 years.
Dr. Ed Harris, director of the National Museum, said the gun could have been brought to Bermuda if HMS Lion docked at the island in the 1640s.
He added: "We just thought it would be an 18th century gun from the reign of George III. But after we cleaned it up and upon further examination we found the royal cypher of Charles I.
"The cypher has 'C' for Charles and 'R' for Rex on the left and right sides of the Tudor Rose and Crown symbol.
"It's a highly unusual and very exciting find. We plan to exhibit it in the museum as soon as we can.
"Islands have the ability to trap things like guns as they are much too much bother to move. That's why we have such an outstanding collection of historic guns in Bermuda - this new discovery adds to the international importance of the collection of heritage assets."
Dr. Harris and his team took pictures of the gun and sent them to experts in the U.K. British expert Charles Trollope identified the original maker using historical records.
He said: "The shape of the button and the indented ring at the end of the second reinforce identify the caster as John Brown.
"I am only aware of Charles I guns having the addition of CR to the Tudor Rose and Crown. The Number 24, which had been etched on the gun, refers to its position in the ship's battery.
"The ship was of some size. The most likely ship is the HMS Lion as it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1640 and therefore needed a few extra guns."
A cannon dating back to the days of Charles I has been unearthed in Bermuda.
Archaeologists believe the cast iron gun was made in the 1640s to arm the naval ship HMS Lion.
The cannon was found in Dockyard and is believed to be the only one of its kind in existence.
It is one of the oldest guns ever discovered on land in Bermuda. The cannon was dug up in September by volunteers at Bastion "I" in Dockyard.
It had been half buried in the ground, undisturbed, for more than 150 years.
Dr. Ed Harris, director of the National Museum, said the gun could have been brought to Bermuda if HMS Lion docked at the island in the 1640s.
He added: "We just thought it would be an 18th century gun from the reign of George III. But after we cleaned it up and upon further examination we found the royal cypher of Charles I.
"The cypher has 'C' for Charles and 'R' for Rex on the left and right sides of the Tudor Rose and Crown symbol.
"It's a highly unusual and very exciting find. We plan to exhibit it in the museum as soon as we can.
"Islands have the ability to trap things like guns as they are much too much bother to move. That's why we have such an outstanding collection of historic guns in Bermuda - this new discovery adds to the international importance of the collection of heritage assets."
Dr. Harris and his team took pictures of the gun and sent them to experts in the U.K. British expert Charles Trollope identified the original maker using historical records.
He said: "The shape of the button and the indented ring at the end of the second reinforce identify the caster as John Brown.
"I am only aware of Charles I guns having the addition of CR to the Tudor Rose and Crown. The Number 24, which had been etched on the gun, refers to its position in the ship's battery.
"The ship was of some size. The most likely ship is the HMS Lion as it was rebuilt and enlarged in 1640 and therefore needed a few extra guns."
