George's residence.

A cannon measuring five feet was removed from the grounds of a house in the town, where it had stood for over 100 years.

There are concerns that the historical artifact could be shipped overseas to a foreign collector or that it could be taking pride of place in someone's garden.

Owner Noela Haycock discovered the theft at the home and believes it must have taken several people to remove the hefty gun from its concrete plinth.

"It has probably been there for over 100 years, my great grandfather, William Eugene Meyer, collected it. It probably goes back to the 17th century,'' she said.

Mrs. Haycock said the solid iron cannon was originally from a shipwreck and could date back as far as the 17th century.

Maritime Museum curator Charlotte Andrews said it could be possible that someone believed the piece was abandoned and placed it in their own garden.

But, she added there was a trade in such items, which could be worth thousands of dollars.

"The historical value is the real importance, beyond the cannon itself,'' she said.