Carron 24 pound Cannon 70899 - Picton, ON
Posted by: 
jiggs11
N 44° 00.105 W 077° 08.778
18T E 327925 N 4874306
One of two Carron cannons on display at the entrance to Glenwood Cemetery in Picton, ON.
Waymark Code: WMN7AZ
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 01/11/2015
Views: 5
The Carron Foundry of Scotland cast thousands of these 5,000 lb cannon for use by the British Army from the early 1800's. They remained in use until the mid 1820's, when more modern versions began appearing.
This piece is a War of 1812 veteran, having been cast in 1807. Size of shot was 24 lbs.
The gun was originally on display at Picton's high school in 1910, and then moved to the Legion in 1965. It and its sister gun received a restoration and rededication in 2013.
In 2017, this and its sister gun were moved to entrance to Gleenwood Cemetery, by the chapel.
From SilverHawkAuthor:
Blomefield 24-pounder Smoothbore Muzzle loading Gun, weight unknown, (Serial No. 70899, CARRON, 1807) on left trunnion, (24P) on right trunnion, King George III cypher, broad arrow mark.
From Picton Gazette:
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY - A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the arrival of the Boulter cannons in Glenwood Cemetery will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, during the annual observance of Veterans’ Day.
In 1910, canning factory magnate Wellington Boulter, a former mayor of Picton, bought a pair of iron cannons from the British government as souvenirs of the wars between Canada and the United States. Originally, it was his intention to have the guns placed at the Picton courthouse, but, reportedly, council “dithered and argued” over this plan. Boulter became impatient with its indecisiveness and the cannons were stored, temporarily, at one of his canning factories. They were subsequently donated to the Picton Collegiate and Vocational Institute (PCVI) several months after their acquisition. However, it was not until 1913 that an official dedication ceremony took place.
For more than 40 years, the guns flanked the entrance walkway to the Picton high school. On May 2, 1952, fire destroyed the school and the cannons were then removed from the grounds. Stored in an unknown location for several years, in 1965 they were installed on the front lawn of the Picton Legion Hall on Main Street East.
In 2013, John Ranking, the great great grandson of Wellington Boulter, noticed the guns were in need of restoration. He undertook this work and also compiled a history of the cannons. Both of the garrison guns were manufactured by the Carron Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland — one in 1807 and the other, in 1812.
In the 1834-1934 centennial booklet of PCVI, compiled by former student Constance Willcox, it is stated the gun with the earliest date was used against the Americans, at the Battle of Windmill, near Prescott. However, Rankin has said this information cannot be confirmed and he doubts its accuracy. Both garrison guns carry the cypher of King George III who died in 1812. The cannon manufactured in 1807 is a 24-pounder, while the other is an 18-pounder.
With the sale of the Picton Legion Hall, an historic home once owned by the McMullen family, the cannons have been relocated to Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery. Cemetery superintendent Helma Oonk says Rankin will be in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark their arrival to provide their history.
Wellington Boulter, who procured the guns for the Town of Picton, was a strong supporter of Glenwood Cemetery for many years and was buried there at his death.
What type of artillery is this?: Siege Cannon
Where is this artillery located?: Other
What military of the world used this device?: British Army
Date artillery was placed on display: 01/01/1807
Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?:
No.
Date artillery was in use: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
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