How to turn over a half tonne cannon

Our Bounty cannon has been transformed! One half of it has a layer of silicon topped with fibre glass and it has been turned over for the other side to now receive the same treatment. These are the steps in making a replica cast of the cannon.

With its silicon cover

Boxed up ready for turning

The work is being carried out by Phillip Smith from the Museum of Tropical Queensland as the first step in a conservation project on the cannon. The project has been funded by the National Libary through the Community Heritage Grants Program and after the replica has been made the cannon will have its coating removed, surface corrosion removed and may then be immersed into a tank of solution for a number of months.

Phillip is making a two part mould of our cannon from silicon and fibre glass. He started off work by making a timber cut out around the cannon which provided the barrier for making the two parts of the mould. A layer of silicon was then applied and then a layer of fibre glass. After all that had dried – the cannon was turned over for the other half to undergo the same process. Phillip is being assisted with his work by local Lee Irvine. As you can imagine plenty of thought needs to go into how to turn over a half tonne cannon. As you can see in the photos, Phillip and Lee managed the manouvere perfectly!

A public viewing of Phillip's work on the cannon will be held on Wednesday 18th August at 1.00pm at the Works Depot. Phillip will explain the moulding and casting procedure and also give an overview of the work he carries out for the Museum of Tropical Queensland. If you would like to attend this free event please register with the Museum on 23788.

Step one - lift the cannon

Step two - place it one the floor

Step three - roll it over

Step four - landed gently!