Cast-Iron Cannon Found in Hull
A cast-iron cannon possibly dating to the late 17th century was discovered during renovation work in Hull's Queen's Gardens, offering a tangible link to the city's maritime and military history. The artifact was uncovered during routine construction work and is being examined by archaeologists.
- The cannon, measuring 2.6 meters in length and weighing over a tonne, was likely repurposed as a mooring post for ships after being decommissioned. This was a common practice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and similar examples can still be found at Humber Dock Street. - Queen's Gardens, where the cannon was found, was formerly Queen's Dock, the first public dock in Hull. Opened in 1778, it was once the largest of its kind in the country and central to the city's trade until it was infilled in the 1930s to create the public gardens. - The discovery was made by local contractors during excavation for an attenuation tank as part of a major revamp of Queen's Gardens, a project linked to the broader "Hull Maritime" initiative. - In the 17th century, Hull was a strategically vital and fortified town, playing a significant role in the English Civil War. The city's arsenal was a key point of contention, and it withstood two sieges by Royalist forces. - The cannon is currently undergoing detailed assessment by experts from Humber Field Archaeology to more accurately determine its age and origin. - Conservation of cast-iron artifacts recovered from wet environments is a complex and lengthy process. It involves stabilizing the metal and removing corrosive salts to prevent the artifact from cracking and disintegrating. - This is not the only recent archaeological find in Hull; in January, part of the Old Town's medieval walls was discovered during work for a new district heating network. Another cannon from the 16th or 17th century was found during a previous excavation for The Deep aquarium and is now on display at the Hull Streetlife Museum.
