SA Navy Recruitment : Museum Gunners 2024
The SA Naval Museum is keen to recruit a new generation of volunteers to maintain its historic Rifled Muzzle Loader Cannon, situated at Middle North Battery. Keen to keep the “living museum” concept going, the old cannon is fired on special occasions and more specifically public holidays, to the benefit of the public that visit the SA Naval Museum. To maintain this tradition we call on young sailors that have a passion for black powder, history and heritage.
Members will be trained under the expert guidance of stalwarts WO1 Martin Venter and WO1 Harry Croome. All training is done in accordance with the Cannon Association of South Africa (CAOSA) regulations and standards. In time members may eventually qualify as gunners to fire the old cannon themselves.
Rifled Muzzle Loader Cannon
With a beautiful view of Simon’s Bay and False Bay, the historic 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loader cannon adorns the Middle North Battery. Manufactured in 1865, it was brought to South African in 1896 for the defence of the British Naval Base in Simon’s Town. The cannon was fired for the last time on 27 April 1903 and then withdrawn from service. Following years of neglect a team of volunteers took up the task to refurbish, not just the cannon but also the surrounds of the Middle North Battery. On 16 March 2011 it was fired for the first time in a 108 years and the SA Naval Museum now continues to do so on special occasions.
The cannon will be fired again on Armed Forces Day on the 21st of February 2024.
Contact the SA Naval Museum, Cdr L. Steyn 021 787 4622 or WO1 H. Croome 021 787 4635, for more information.