Addresses
Type of place
Defence site
Period
Pre-convict settlement to 1824
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Naval Cannon
Naval Cannon
Addresses
Type of place
Defence site
Period
Pre-convict settlement to 1824
The 24-pounder naval cannon located adjacent to the Brisbane Sailing Squadron clubhouse was placed here in 1964. Cast in 1803 at Carron, Scotland this was one of twelve 24-pounder cannon gifted to Queensland in 1862 to aid in the colony’s defence. Operated by the Queensland Volunteer Artillery it formed part of the artillery saluting battery established in Queen’s Park (near the Old Botanic Gardens.) The canons were used for training and saluting purposes - opening and closing of Parliamentary sessions and arrival of governors. The gun was removed from the site in 1900, and remained in Defence ownership until 1911. It was gifted to Brisbane City Council and displayed at Wilson’s Outlook, New Farm until 1964, when it was removed to Vic Lucas Park.
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
The 24-pounder naval cannon located adjacent to the Brisbane Sailing Squadron clubhouse was placed here in 1964. Cast in 1803 at Carron, Scotland this was one of twelve 24-pounder cannon gifted to Queensland in 1862 to aid in the colony’s defence. In 1863 this cannon, numbered 63856, formed part of the artillery saluting battery operated by the Queensland Volunteer Artillery established in Queen’s Park (near the Old Botanic Gardens.) The canons were used for training and saluting purposes - opening and closing of Parliamentary sessions and arrival of governors. Ten of the twelve guns still remained at the Battery in 1878, and the last were removed from the site in 1900.
After Federation, when defence became the responsibility of the Commonwealth, obsolete weapons were often gifted to local authorities to be used for ornamental purposes in public parks. This process appears to have begun around June 1911, and BCC Parks were offered two 9-pounder field pieces and three 24-pounder cannons. Two of the 24-pounders were to be allocated to Albert Park until Alderman McMaster (who had lobbied during 1910 for the creation of the park on Bowen terrace) suggested one cannon be located at the lookout on Bowen Terrace. A substantial wall was built at the lookout before the gun was emplaced.
The Brisbane Sailing Club, with the support of Alderman Crawford, requested permission to remove the cannon from Wilson’s Outlook on Bowen Terrace, and erect it in a prominent position in Vic Lucas Park opposite the Memorial on Cameron Rocks. The club was granted permission to use it on loan from the Council within the area of Vic Lucas Park leased to the Club, provide that the Club is responsible for keeping the cannon in good order and condition without cost to the Council.
The cannon was set up in Vic Lucas Park on a reproduction gun carriage with original cast iron trucks (small wheels.) The wooden carriage has since rotted and the gun barrel rests on a besser block mounting. The trucks were stored under the clubhouse during the 1990s.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane Courier, Thursday 28 February 1878
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Colonial Forces Study Group (Queensland), ‘A Most Promising Corps: citizen soldiers in colonial Queensland 1860 – 1903’, Brisbane, 2010
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)