Going great guns

On August 29 1782, the starboard cannon of HMS Royal George were rolled to the centre line so that the ship would heel over for work to be done on the hull. When the ship took in water through the larboard gun-ports, it could not be righted, and went down with some 900 souls. Two cannon salvaged from the wreck stand at Etal Castle, between Coldstream and Northumberland coast. These nine-pounders sent an iron ball more than a mile. At Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, stands a quick-firing 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun that sent shells higher than the altitude of Everest. These artillery pieces are suffering corrosion, made worse by sea air, and are among the big guns that English Heritage is anxious to save. It’s a task worth accomplishing, for these historic relics from our island defences are strangely stirring.