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18th Century Turkish Cannon Retuns Home To Greenwich
By 24 Hour Museum Staff
24/10/2007
Image: photo of a bronze cannon on a black metal carriage in front of a baroque building
The cannon was first installed at Greenwich in 1807. © Greenwich Foundation
A 5.2 tonne Turkish cannon has been unveiled at the Old Royal Naval College, returning to Greenwich 200 years after it was first installed.
The cannon was originally captured by Admiral Sir John Duckworth from the island of Kinaliada in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul in 1807.
It was then taken to London and presented to the Royal Naval Asylum, later the Greenwich Hospital School, in the same year, but when the school moved to Suffolk in 1933 the bronze cannon went with it.
Duncan Wilson (l) and Vice Admiral Peter Dunt (r) unveiling the cannon. © Greenwich Foundation
Its return to Greenwich and inauguration on October 20 2007 marked the beginning of the redevelopment of the current visitor centre at the Old Royal Naval College. The new interpretation and education centre, Discover Greenwich, will open in autumn 2009.
The barrel of the cannon was cast in 1790-91 in the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Selim III, while its cast-iron display carriage was made later by the Royal Carriage Department of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.
Its decorative plaques mark British naval victories including the Battle of the Nile and Trafalgar. It is thought that it was first presented to the Royal Naval Asylum to commemorate the battles that had created the need for such a school for children whose fathers had fallen in battle for the Royal Navy.
Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN, London, England
T: 020 8269 4747
Open: The Painted Hall and Chapel are open to visitors daily between 10am and 5pm. The grounds of the Old Royal Naval College are open daily from 8.00 to 18.00.
Guided tours are available at £5 per person, lasting approximately 90 minutes (free for children under 16).
Daily tours run at 11.30 and 14.00 please call for availability.
In the Chapel, a service of worship is held every Sunday at 11.00, to which all are welcome.
Closed: The College will be closed to the public on 24, 25 & 26 December.
The Chapel and/or Painted Hall may occasionally be closed at short notice, please see the website for updates.
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