A historic two-tonne iron cannon has been carefully lowered into its new position at the entrance to Warwick Camp.

The Carron cannon, which dates back to 1807, had previously been upright in a wharf as a bollard for mooring boats at Convict Bay.

The refurbished cannon and a replica cast iron carriage was moved from Dockyard to Regiment headquarters on a flat bed trailer yesterday as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Regiment.

National Museum executive director, Dr Edward Harris, told The Royal Gazette that the island’s military heritage had been given a further visible reminder with the placement of the big gun at the front gate of Warwick Camp.

“This cannon is almost ten foot long, with a bore of six inches, making it a 32-pounder,” said Dr Harris.

“It was made during the reign of George III and carries a “King’s Broad Arrow”, which was a symbol to be placed on anything bought for the British military.

“For many years, the cannon was used upright in a wharf as a bollard for mooring boats, so the salt water has damaged the bottom half of the gun.

“Nonetheless, the gun is a good example of the 32-pounder, which was one of the largest guns in the early nineteenth century.”

The project has been orchestrated by the Bermuda National Museum and the Regiment and has also involved help from local companies.

Dr Harris said: “In order to position the gun, a concrete platform was necessary and that was made through the generosity of Island Construction Services.

“A cast iron replica carriage of an 1840s design was also needed that was provided by a donation from the Oil Group of Companies. The cannon itself is from the Napoleonic period and was made by the Carron munitions company, famous for its unique gun called a ‘carronade’, two of which adorn the front of Government House.”

Bermuda has a collection of over 150 historic guns, ranging in age from the late 1500s into beginning of the twentieth century.

Commanding Officer, Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown, welcomed the new armament to Warwick Camp.

He said: ‘We are very proud of the heritage of the Bermuda Regiment since its inception 50 years ago in 1965, and of its forebears the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Rifles, a legacy on display at the Military Museum at Commissioner’s House.

“The placement of the cannon at the entrance to Warwick Camp underscores that heritage and the long and close association of the Regiment with the National Museum.

“The cannon will be officially dedicated in a ceremony in October wherein other contributing sponsors, including The Bruce Sharpe Family, will be formally recognised.”