Good point Ron, and I've looked into this a little bit. As I understand it, however, these type guns were small enough to have been also commonly used on landing boats. What I didn't mention in the original query is that there are a number of known Tlingit sites in the general area (including a midden of unknown age in the immediate vicinity). It's possible that it was taken in a raid. Of course all this is speculation. My best guess would be that was from a Russian vessel, but knowing the age and place of manufacture might help sort this out. Thanks for your comments.
Dave
Dave McMahan
State Archaeologist, Deputy SHPO
Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1310
Anchorage, AK 99501
Voice: (907)269-8723
Fax: (907)269-8908
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY on behalf of Ron May
Sent: Thu 3/6/2008 7:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Cannon / Swivel Gun identification
I am wondering what the odds are that a swivel gun fell overboard and washed
ashore? My suspicious mind makes me wonder if the ship to which it was once
attached is not nearby? I know of at least one cannon from the sailing ship
Betsy that wrecked off Santa Barbara in 1946 that washed ashore.
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.
In a message dated 3/6/2008 3:58:58 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Hi,
I am wondering if anyone can help identify / date a small iron cannon
(swivel gun?) found by a beachcomber in southeast Alaska? Russians,
British, Spanish, and Americans were all in this region during the late
18th and 19th centuries. I have posted a photo and dimensions at:
http://www.alaska.net/~oha/Kake-Cannon/. Sorry for the cross-posting --
this was also sent to SUBARCH.
Thanks,
Dave
Dave McMahan
State Archaeologist, Deputy SHPO
Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1310
Anchorage, AK 99503-3565
Voice: (907) 269-8723
Fax: (907) 269-8908
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