Historic Cannon Conservation At St Mawes Castle

Photo: A newly restored cannon from the early 19th century looks out to sea. The cannon is on loan from the Royal Armouries – Credit: Emily Whitfield-Wicks. 

St Mawes Castle in Cornwall, one of England’s best-preserved Tudor fortresses, is currently hosting a three-week conservation project on its collection of 15 historic cannon and guns.

English Heritage, which oversees the castle, began the project in early June and aims to complete it by the end of the month. The work involves caring for these impressive weapons, which date from the mid-16th to the 19th centuries.

A Glimpse into History

St Mawes Castle, commissioned by Henry VIII in the 1540s, boasts a rich history and a substantial collection of artillery. The castle’s arsenal includes items collected and donated since the military vacated the site in 1956. Approximately half of the guns are on loan from the Royal Armouries. The highlight of the collection is the Alberghetti gun, a mid-16th century bronze Saker. This gun, named after Italian gun maker Sigismondo Alberghetti, features his initials on the barrel under a decorative coat of arms. The Saker was discovered off the coast of Devon in 1975.

Inside the castle keep, visitors can find six cast iron cannon, including four from the late 18th century bearing the royal cipher of King George III. Two replica guns mounted on wooden trestles demonstrate how the castle was set up during times of war. In the castle grounds, a Grand Sea Battery built in the 1850s and an early 19th-century cannon are also on display. Nearby, five more cannon of the same era stand in a saluting battery, facing out to sea.

📷Photographs by Emily Whitfield-Wicks Emglish Heritage. Cannon conservation at St Mawes Castle. Cornwall. Tim Martin carries out conservation work on cannons the the cannon rails, training volunteers.

Photo: Emglish Heritage. Cannon conservation at St Mawes Castle. Cornwall. Tim Martin carries out conservation work on cannons the the cannon rails, training volunteers. Credit: Emily Whitfield-Wicks

Conservation Efforts

English Heritage conducts an annual maintenance programme for cannon across its sites, with enhanced efforts at St Mawes Castle this year due to the castle’s seaside location. Salt in the air and high UV light levels accelerate the deterioration of the cast iron cannon and their wooden carriages.

The conservation process involves lifting each cannon from its carriage, rubbing down exposed metalwork to remove corrosion, and repainting them with scientifically researched paint that forms a protective layer. The Alberghetti gun, being the only bronze cannon, will be treated with hot wax instead of paint. The wooden carriages will be washed and treated to prevent wood rot and insect damage.

Visitor Attraction

David Guest, the manager of St Mawes Castle, expressed pride in the conservation work. “We’re very proud of the cannon we have on display here, so the team have been excited to see this work take place – and it’s proving a fascinating watch for visitors too. The cannon are heavy but surprisingly brittle so need to be handled very carefully to ensure they’re not damaged. Make sure to come to the castle before the end of the month if you want to see this conservation in action,” he said.

Alongside the conservation work, staff and volunteers are being trained in regular cannon maintenance. This training aims to enable more frequent upkeep, reducing the need for extensive future treatments.

For more information on St Mawes Castle and the ongoing conservation project, visit English Heritage’s website.