Four Pound Long Gun - Mel Fisher's Treasure Exhibit - Key West
N 24° 33.496 W 081° 48.382
17R E 418339 N 2716275
One of several cannons on display at this maritime museum.
Waymark Code: WM6J8F
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/09/2009
Views: 5
Four Pounder Long Gun and Carriage (replica)
Original: Cast Iron, English (Sussex) c1700
Recovered from the wreck of the Henrietta Marie
This replica cannon and carriage is typical of the smaller guns carriend on both merchant ships and pirate vessels during the early 18th century. By the late 17th century, cast iron had become the most common material used for cannons, making them cheaper and easier to produce. The four wheeled track carriage allowed the guns to be rolled back for reloading, and the simple but effective elevating system of
and stool bed was efficient enough for war at sea. A fur-pounder like this could fire a
shot (cannon ball) about a thousand yards.
It took about two years to
the original from which this gun was cast. Lying under the ocean for hundreds of years can make even iron objects fragile. It and others like it are now on display inside the museum.