| QAR archaeologists contacted eighteenth century European
arms experts to help determine, the origins and dates of the recovered
cannons. Accurate recording of measurements and marks are vital for
this research. Cannon 2 is the only cannon without marks and not loaded.
Cannon 3 exhibits crudely inscribed numbers"173" running
lengthwise just forward of the vent. English guns included, a 4-pounder
(Cannon 4) and a ¾-pounder (Cannon 21). Cannon 19, a 1-pounder,
has marks on each trunnion. The left trunnion is marked with numbers
"7 1 3". The right trunnion appears to bear the letters
" I E C ", foundry marks of the Ehrencreutz family, who
operated the Swedish Ehrendal Cannon Works, 1689-1750. With a total
of at least twenty-four iron cannons, varied in nature and many of
them loaded, makes this one of the most important collections of the
18th century ship's armament in the world. |
|
