Courthouse Cannon.  Type: 18 pounder garrison gun on cast iron carriage with a four inch calibre Date: c1795

There were six of these in the Parade directly inside the Arch in the Jamestown Line.  Four were taken for metal during the Second World War.  The gun carriage bears the name “John Sturges & Co”.    There is a shortage of interview rooms in the courthouse immediately behind the cannon and on “Court Days” clients can be seen meeting their representatives sitting on the cannon wheels.

Saddle Battery.  Type: Iron 12 pounders on cast iron carriages: four and a half inch calibre Date: one gun is dated 1794 on trunnion end, number 1462 on the other end.

These are some of the most magnificently mounted guns overlooking Rupert’s Valley.  They look about ready to fire and given the inaccessibility of their position, which involves a scramble along the ridge from the Rupert’s Valley access road, it is no wonder no-one thought the scrap value was worth the effort of removal.

Castle Entrance Mortars.  Type: brass mortar, 23” long.      Four and half inch calibre.  Date: early 19thC, markings worn off

Original purpose unknown.   Described in Ken Denholm’s Book “An Island Fortress” as “Salute Cannon”.  They have only been in this location since c1957.  Were previously (1920s) outside the Courthouse.

Jamestown Line Cannon.  Type: 24pounder garrison gun of six inch calibre dated c1795.GR crest, B or R on trunnion, WP on barrel

A List of Guns for 1825-36 compiled by Lieutenant G.W.Melliss who listed the guns of St Helena between 1825 and 1836 credited James Line batteries with 64 guns, consisting of 43 Garrison Guns, 12 Carronades, 5 Mortars, and 4 Howitzers. Today at the old Fort there are just 4 guns still standing at the embrasures of the East Battery

Related Information

Icomam Magazine

‘For more information on cannon and their conservation’