Find Spot MPM2108 - Cannon approximately 260m east of Gosport Marina, Portsmouth Harbour

Post-medieval small smooth bore cast iron cannon recovered by grab in 2017 during the Queen Elizabeth Class Capital Dredge Project in Portsmouth Harbour. Found approximately 320m east of floating breakwater at Gosport Marina.

Small smooth bore cast iron cannon recovered during pre-dredge clearance approximately 260m east of the floating breakwater at Gosport Marina. The cannon may have been cast before 1715 and was possibly made to fire a 3-4 pound shot. The cannon may still have been in service when it was deposited on the harbour bed as the tampion (a plug placed in the muzzle when not in use) was still in place when it was found. However, it is also possible the cannon may have been used as ballast or a mooring anchor after being taken out of service. Probably an isolated find as no other archaeological material was recovered.

One of a number of cannon found in Portsmouth Harbour during the Queen Elizabeth Class Capital Dredge. See MPM2083, MPM2084, MPM2093 and MPM2109-MPM2112.

UID: BWL1_0077 in Queen Elizabeth Class Capital Dredge Project report.

Wessex Archaeology, 2018, Queen Elizabeth Class Capital Dredge Project Her Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth: Archaeological Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SPM646.