| Historical Specifics: |
The 32 pounder guns in the Martello Tower at Fort Denison are of the Blomefield pattern of 56 cwt. The weight markings appear on the base of the breech and are difficult to read. This gun No 117 weight markings appear to be 55-3-0. They are mounted on original garrison carriages.
The first 32 pounder cast iron guns are recorded in the 1720s and the last and over the life of the gun four different designs were produced (Blomefield, Millar, Monk and Dundas). Each came in various lengths and weight. The first 32 pounder guns appear to have arrived sometime around 1858. In December 1870 a total of 45 of these guns were in NSW; two of 50 cwt, 33 of 56 cwt and 9 of 58 cwt). In 1869 it had been 43 and they are noted as being mounted at Dawes Battery (15), Fort Denison (12), Fort Macquarie (7), Mrs Macquarie Battery (8) and one in Colonial Stores. It can be assumed the two guns of 50 cwt had arrived in 1870. The32 pounders appear to have been dismounted by 1874.
Only 10 of these guns are listed in the 1901 Report; two of 50 cwt at Wollongong and eight of 56 cwt –Bare Island (1), Fort Scratchley (Newcastle) (2) School of Gunnery (4) and Middle Head (1). The report does not include guns on Fort Denison. 32 pounder smooth bore guns were converted to 64 pounder rifled muzzle loading guns (RML) in the 1870s and whether this is the fate of the remaining guns is still to be determined. |
