ARTILLERY REGISTER |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Historical Specifics: | The 8 inch shell gun at Fort Denison is the only existing model of this type of gun in NSW. Six were employed around Sydney, one at Fort Dennison and five at Kirribilli Battery. The gun at Fort Denison is mounted on a replica of the type of carriage originally at the Island to mount the 32 pounder guns. The gun itself retains the foresight and mounting bracket for the rear site. The weight shown on the barrel is 65-1-14.
Work on the fortification of Pinchgut island, now known as Fort Denison, commenced in 1841 but were not completed when permission to expend the funds required was not approved by the Colonial Office in London. Work recommenced in 1856 and when completed twelve 32 pounder (three in the tower), two 10 inch shell guns, one 8 inch shell gun and one 12 pounder carronade were installed. The departure of the last of the Imperial Troops in August 1870 saw the setting up of a Commission to look into the defences of the Colony. The Commission felt the guns in the lower battery at Fort Denison were too exposed and their range too limited. It was therefore proposed that only the guns in (and on) the Martello tower be retained. The 8 inch shell cast iron gun at Fort Denison was originally located on the top of the Martello Tower on a traversing platform that allowed the gun to be fired in any direction. The gun was removed in 1913 and replaced with a navigation light. In 1963 the gun was restored by the Maritime Service Board and mounted on a new platform. Five of these shell guns were also installed at Kirribilli Battery On naval vessels the SBML guns fired solid shot cannonball and when it was suggested they should fire hollowed balls filled with gun power the Navy quickly rejected the idea, fearing the potential for the projectiles to explode on board. Eventually they began use in 1820. The shell gun fired at a lower pressure to prevent damage to the ball and therefore its range was much less but in close quarters with ships the ball could lodge itself into the side of the ship and its explosion would cause great damage. Many of the 8 inch shell guns of 65 cwt were converted to 64 pounder RML guns of 71 cwt. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Information on Gun Type: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Photos: |  |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
