Historical information

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this object represents the early Amess era.

Significance

The cannon was left on Churchill Island after the last private resident left and the Island was purchased by the Victorian State Government. During the time of ownership by Samuel Amess, the cannon was positioned in the front garden facing the bay. In 1982, the Victorian Conservation Trust sought to identify the manufacture and provenance of the cannon. Images held within the Churchill Island Museum and Archive demonstrate the annual use of the cannon by the Amess family, in particular the firing of the cannon on New Years Eve of each year.

Physical description

Six pounder cast iron smooth bore cannon, mounted on a white painted wooden carriage with four iron wheels.

Inscriptions & markings

860 / FRECK