A team of skilled heritage restoration volunteers in Manly has successfully reconstructed a replica wooden gun carriage for a rare 6-pounder bronze cannon dating back to the early NSW colony. The project, completed in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial, highlights the dedication of the North Head-based Harbour Trust volunteers in preserving Australia’s military history.
A Cannon from the Early Days of the NSW Colony
A group of volunteers from the Sydney Harbour Trust’s North Head Heritage Restoration team has completed an intricate project. They recreated a historically accurate gun carriage for a rare 6-pounder bronze field gun. This cannon, believed to have been manufactured around 1795, was among the first artillery pieces used in the New South Wales colony. It supplemented the two guns brought to Sydney Cove aboard the HMS Sirius in 1788.
The Australian War Memorial approached the Harbour Trust with the request to manufacture a replica wooden carriage for the cannon, ensuring its preservation as part of the National Collection in Canberra.
Restoration Effort at North Head
Over 16 months, 12 highly skilled volunteers, including retired woodworkers and metal engineers, meticulously reconstructed the gun carriage. They based the details on historical references. The volunteers relied on technical drawings from the book British Napoleonic Field Artillery, The First Complete Illustrated Guide to Equipment and Uniforms (2012), ensuring the accuracy of their work.
Led by former Royal Australian Artillery officer Peter Lawrence, the team faced several challenges in replicating the 18th-century construction techniques. The project required the creation of custom-made tools to tighten bolts in difficult-to-reach areas and specially designed drill bits to bore through the timber components.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Preserving Military Heritage for Future Generations
The Harbour Trust’s Executive Director, Janet Carding, emphasised the project’s significance, highlighting the ongoing collaboration with the Australian War Memorial to preserve and showcase historical artefacts.
Retired Major General Brian Dawson, Assistant Director of the National Collection at the Australian War Memorial, expressed his appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts, stating that the newly built carriage would be a valuable addition to the collection.
Future of the Project
With the restoration now complete, the cannon and its newly built carriage will be transported to Canberra, where it will be displayed at the Australian War Memorial as a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the Manly-based restoration volunteers.
The Harbour Trust volunteers continue to work on new heritage projects, contributing to preserving Australia’s colonial and military history.
Published 15-Mar-2025
