Boom. That’s the sound these Queensland first artillery 24-pound Carron cannons were meant to make. Not a boom of war though. More a polite boom. A boom of celebration.
These magnificent cannons before you are a piece of Brisbane’s vibrant past. They are part of Queensland’s earliest artillery. Twelve of these 24-pound smoothbore beauties arrived from Scotland in 1862. They were already outdated then. Their purpose was not defense. No. Their role was purely ceremonial. They were for salutes. For marking important events.
Imagine the scene. It’s 1879. Parliament is opening. The cannons are ready. They are to fire a celebratory salute. But something goes horribly wrong. A tragic accident occurs. A premature discharge. Two gunners are fatally wounded. It was a grim reminder that even ceremonial booms can be deadly.
These cannons stand as silent witnesses to Brisbane’s growth. One cannon even took a brief trip to the Wynnum foreshore. It wasn’t until 1989 that they returned to their current location. A place of history and remembrance.
Each cannon whispers tales of bygone eras. Of colonial ambition and the evolving nature of warfare. Think about the journey these cannons made. From the Scottish foundries to the shores of Moreton Bay. Then to the heart of Brisbane. They’ve witnessed so much change. They have silently guarded Brisbane.
Consider their creation. Cast in Scotland. Made in 1798 one was. Another in 1810. These aren’t just cannons. They are time capsules. They are tangible links to a time long past. They represent the colonial past of Queensland.
These Queensland first artillery 24-pound Carron cannons are more than just metal. They are a story. A testament to a city’s growth and a poignant reminder of an era when even celebrations held danger. They are irreplaceable pieces of Queensland history. And here they stand. In all their glorious, obsolete might. A reminder of Brisbane’s past.