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Cannons preserved as part of Maryport project
A pair of historic cannon mounts in a prominent Maryport location have been repaired and protected for the future.
The structures, which sit outside what will soon be the new Maryport Maritime Museum, had reached the end of their useful life, but now they have been restored as part of extensive regeneration work in the town.
The cannons themselves are on loan from the Royal Artillery Museum. One is a 32-pounder Iron Gun, which is nearly five feet long and was cast in the UK in 1796. The other is a 30-pounder Russian Carronade which is nearly six feet long. The term ‘pounder’ refers to the weight of the balls the cannons were designed to fire.
The new mounts for the cannons have been made by Thomas Armstrong Construction, of Flimby, which is the main contractor for the Maritime Museum, as part of its social impact contribution to the project. The building is being developed as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration projects in Maryport.
The cannons are an added element of detail on the exterior of the building which has been carefully cleaned, repointed and repaired. Inside, the former church has undergone a dramatic and beautiful transformation and is currently being fitted out ahead of the Museum’s opening.
David Atkinson, managing director of Thomas Armstrong Construction, said: “We are proud of our local heritage and our relationship with Cumberland Council, so when we were asked if we could protect this little piece of history we were more than willing to assist.
“The existing cannon mounts were dilapidated and beyond repair, so we took careful photographs and measurements so our specialist joinery department could create detailed replicas. They are made of sapele, a dense and durable hardwood, which means they will last for many years to come. The wood has also been treated to give added protection from its exposed coastal location.
“Those cannons are incredibly heavy, as well as being historically important, so we hired in specialist lifting equipment to fit them in place. They’re a great finishing touch for the project.”
Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, added: “Many thanks to the joinery team at Thomas Armstrong Construction for creating the mounts for these historic cannons. They’re a small but important part of Maryport Maritime Museum’s site.
“It is great to see another piece of history being protected.”