The Cattewater Gun

Contributed by Plymouth City Museum

The Cattewater Gun is a type of cannon but because it would have fired its shots straight ahead, it is classed as a breech-loading swivel gun! It's a tube of wrought iron set into an oak bed and held by three iron straps - and one of three guns salvaged from the Cattewater Wreck in 1973, the first 'Protected Wreck' in the UK. The guns would have been mounted on the ship's rail (gunwale) and fired at the crews of enemy vessels. Evidence shows that these guns were the most common armament used at sea by both naval and merchant vessels between AD 1450 to 1520. This amazingly complete item has been preserved in water and can now be viewed in its own tank in the Museum's archaeology gallery, 'Uncovered'!

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