Presented is an exceptional, full size, cast bronze cannon in a style that was
used by both Naval and Merchant ships in lieu of using their fighting guns for signaling. It is decidedly American in
its design and the quality of its workmanship. The barrel is mounted on its original carriage and has its original bronze
hardware including an elevation turntable under the cascabal. The barrel has a rich mottled green patina that varies
in color over half its surface. The remaining surface varies in shades of dark brown to black. There is a prominent touch
hole just behind the third reinforcing ring. Based on all the information we have studied, we date this cannon to the first
quarter of the 19th Century.
Guns
of this type were used for the purpose of making signals which included saluting other vessels, to announce arrival
at a port, to sound a mutiny, and when in fog. Their echo could be used in estimating distance off a shoreline. They also were use to start yacht races.
The features which mark this as an early and
authentic signal cannon of the first quarter of the Nineteenth Century are:
- Prominent cascabal knob
- Reinforced chamber
- Low line trunnions
- Iron trunnion caps
- five reinforcing bands
- Original Teak wood carriage