Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Captured Cannon
Gun Glossary
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
1. Captured Cannon Marker
These bronze muzzle-loading guns form part of the Waterloo Battery, a set of eight guns captured and brought to the Tower by the Duke of Wellington after the battle of Waterloo in 1815.
They fired a solid iron cannonball propelled by the explosion of a charge of gunpowder. The angle of the barrel was altered by means of a screw fixed to the carriage. Each gun required a five-man gun crew to operate it, six horses to pull it and had an effective range of 275m.
1. Muzzle - the end of the gun where the powder and ball are loaded.
2. Trunnion - the pivot supporting the gun.
3. Dolphins - the lifting loops used to lift the barrel on and off the carriage.
4. Vent - a small hole through which the charge of gunpowder is ignited.
5. Cheeks - the side pieces of the gun carriage sometimes called the brackets.
6. Strakes - iron plates forming a rim to strengthen and protect the wooden wheels from wear.
7. Linch Pin - an iron wedge that secures the wheel on it s axle. This term is the origin of the term ‘linchpin’ meaning someone who is important or key.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 51° 30.509′ N, 0° 4.545′ W. Marker is in Tower Hamlets, England, in Greater
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British 25 Pounder Field Gun, 1943 (a few steps from this marker); On Guard (within shouting distance of this marker); Nordenfelt Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron 9-pounder Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); The Waterloo Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Waterloo Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Bronze 24-pounder Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); White Tower and the Two Princes (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tower Hamlets.
Also see . . .
1. Tower of London. (Submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Tower of London on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
2. Captured Cannon Marker with Guns of the Waterloo Battery
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
