The gun was designed in 1865 as a broadside gun for ironclad ships and harbour seafront defence. A total of 190 were made. The gun was last fired in 1903.. This gun was first mounted in Halifax Nova Scotia until 1878, then at Bermuda until 1881 and then at Sheerness England until 1885. It was mounted at Middle North Battery Simon's Town in 1896 where it still exists. The gun, carriage, slide and mounting were restored in the East Dockyard Gun Shop, in 1984. The 9 inch bore (228.6mm) gun, manufactured in 1855/1856. The Barrel is rifled with 6 grooves, the only gun manufactured with this number of grooves! 9 inch shells had 6 rectangular lead protrusions that engaged with the barrel grooves to impart spin and thus stabilise the shell during flight. Cast steel gun barrel (Mk1) with wrought iron forged breech piece, cascabel and trunnion, supported on fabricated steel gun carriage, slide and mounting.
Typical Annual Firing Schedule (Based on Previous Years)
21 February 12H00 (Armed Forces Day)
27 April 12H00 (Freedom Day)
08 May 12H00 (International Museum Day)
16 June 12H00 (Youth Day)
18 July 12H00 (Mandela Day)
24 September 12H00 (Heritage Day)
11 November 11H00 (Armistice Day)
16 December 12H00 (Day of Reconciliation)
It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 17 March 1989.