| Historical Specifics: |
The 4 pounder is one of six cannon thrown overboard on 11 June 1770 when HMS Endeavour struck a coral reef south-east of what is now Cooktown. In an effort to float it off the reef by reducing weight, Cook ordered six cannons and other heavy items thrown overboard, charting the location of this incident.
In 1969 researchers, using a magnetometer to scan the reef in the area shown on Cook’s charts, discovered the six cast iron cannon under two centuries of coral growth. Explosive was used to free the cannon but they were not retrieved. Later that year an expedition from the American Academy of Natural Sciences successfully located and raised the six cannons which are now displayed in London, Wellington, Philadelphia, Cooktown and two in Sydney. This one of those guns, the other being at the National Maritime Museum. The gun carries the cipher of King George II and the makers letter G is on the right trunnion. Inscribed into the barrel is the number 13. |
