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Shipwrecked Cannon Raised off St. Augustine

Published Jun 29, 2011 3:52 PM by The Maritime Executive

Members of the Lighthouse Archaeolgoical Maritime Program utilized a life davit to extract an 18th century, 1,200 pound cannon from a shipwreck off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida 30-ft beneath the ocean.  The cannon was spotted from a lighthouse and at the St. Augustine pier exposed by sunlight. 

This is the second-oldest shipwreck discovered off the NE Florida coast, with the ironworks having to date post-1776.  The cannon is believed to be from Colonial-period, most likely around the time of the Revolutionary War and appear to have been made by Carron Ironworks of Scotland.  

Watch the following video courtesy of CNN to learn more:

The cannons are on display currently behind the Lighthouse Museum while they are in water baths during the tedious encrustration removal procedure over the next 2 years.