Hull Construction Unearths Historic Cannon
Construction workers renovating Queen's Gardens in Hull, UK have unearthed a cast-iron cannon barrel, likely dating from the late 17th century. The discovery adds another layer to the city's rich urban history and will be studied as part of Hull's heritage restoration efforts.
- The cannon is approximately 2.6 meters long and weighs over a tonne. Its muzzle has been deliberately capped, indicating it was taken out of military service before being repurposed. - Archaeologists from Humber Field Archaeology, led by manager Peter Connelly, believe the cannon was likely used as a mooring post for ships in what was then Queen's Dock. This was a common practice in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and two other cannons used as mooring posts can still be seen on Humber Dock Street. - The cannon was likely pushed into the dock when it was being filled in during the 1930s to create the Queen's Gardens. The gardens themselves were officially opened in September 1935. - The discovery was made during the excavation for an attenuation tank, which is an underground reservoir designed to collect excess rainwater and prevent flooding. - The renovation of Queen's Gardens is a key component of the larger "Hull Maritime" project, a city-wide initiative to preserve and highlight Hull's maritime heritage. This project also includes the refurbishment of the Maritime Museum and the historic Arctic Corsair trawler. - The cannon will be fully assessed and recorded off-site by the archaeology team. More details are expected to be released once their analysis is complete. - This is not the only recent historical find in the city; in January, part of the Old Town's medieval walls was discovered during work to install a new district heating network on Guildhall Road.
