The Signal(?) Cannon at Robe

Further to Possible origins of the large anchor at Port Noarlunga reef, “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” by the late Jack Loney says that although this signal cannon at Robe is believed to be from the Koning Willem de Tweede (King William II) *, some people claim that it came from the Duilius.

* (The Koning Willem de Tweede (King William II) was run aground on Robe’s Long Beach during a storm on 30th June 1857.)

According to 17 Apr 1947 – CANNON PRESENTED TO ROBE – Trove (nla.gov.au), “A cannon from the Koenig Willhelm II (note the spelling variation), wrecked in Guichen Bay in 1856 has been presented to the Robe District Council by Mr. C. C. Deland. The Council accepted the gift with thanks at its recent meeting. Provided that it conformed with Building and Health Acts, Mr. R. Brooks was granted permission to alter, extend and improve the building on his allotment in Robetown, for use as a temporary dwelling until he could obtain materials to build a permanent home.”

As reported in Possible origins of the large anchor at Port Noarlunga reef, “The Duilius was anchored in Guichen Bay loading wool for London on 9th April (1853) when a strong north-west gale sprang up and buffeted the ship. The prevailing gale caused the ship to lose two anchors. The wind eventually moderated slightly on the 15th April and Captain W.Maxton took the opportunity to move his ship further from the shore. The anchor broke at the stock when there was a sudden jerk as the cable was being hove in. With no large anchor left, Captain Maxton could only run the ship ashore. It struck a rock and filled with water before settling on the bottom. Captain Maxton abandoned the ship and it became a total loss..”

“Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” by Jack Loney says that it was 1am on the 15^th April when one of the anchors parted. It describes the Duilius as a wooden, 3-masted barque of 327 tons built in 1840. Brief details about the wrecking can also be found in “Wrecks on the South Coast of South Australia” by Loney.

(The first edition of “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” by Jack Loney was published in 1993, and Jack died within 2 years in 1995 (13^th February).)

Both “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” and “Wrecks on the South Coast of South Australia” by Loney feature some of Loney’s photos of the (signal?) cannon now on display at Robe in South Australia. One of the photos features on the front cover of “Wrecks on the South Coast of South Australia”: –

(This book appears to be the forerunner to “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)”. It was first published in 1971 and was re-published every year from then until 1975 (4^th edition), except 1974.) The (signal?) cannon also features on the photo page between pages 41 & 42.

The (signal?) cannon on display at Robe in South Australia

It is, however, the caption for a photo of the (signal?)* cannon on page 61 of “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” that states, “Some claim it is from the barque Duilius, wrecked at Robe in 1853.”: –

* (Signal? cannon beause Loney called it a Signal Cannon in the earlier ““Wrecks on the South Coast of South Australia”, but just Cannon in the later “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” – see above photos.)

According to Robe shipwreck researchers look for clues to bust myths and build Dutch connections – ABC News (Posted Fri 12 Apr 2024 ) “Dr Hunter (curator of naval heritage and archaeology at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney) is …. very sceptical about a cannon near the museum” but then “Because of its British design, he thinks it may have come from another ship wrecked near Robe in 1857, the Sultana”.

Dr Hunter with the cannon he believes may have come from a British ship.(ABC South East SA: Eugene Boisvert)

(Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/research-into-robe-shipwreck-artefacts-king-william-long-beach/103696434 )

The Sultana (1857). not to be confused with the Sultana wreck of 1849, is described in Loney’s books as a barque of 588 tons. Coincidentally, In “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)”, Loney’s photo of the cannon at Robe is located immediately below his details about the Sultana wreck. This map showing the locations for the Duilius, Koenig Willem II and Sultana is on the opposite page: –

(Source: “Wrecks on the South Australian Coast (including Kangaroo Island)” by Jack Loney)

According to  Robe shipwreck researchers look for clues to bust myths and build Dutch connections – ABC News,“A bell believed to have come from the (Koning Willem de Tweede – King William II) was rung at Robe Primary School from its founding in 1886 until about (2009) to bring students in from lunch and recess. A replica now stands in its place with the original in the local maritime museum.”

Ship’s bell at the Robe Customs House Maritime Museum

(Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/research-into-robe-shipwreck-artefacts-king-william-long-beach/103696434 )

A closer look at the sign behind the bell reads: –

“KONING WILLEM II CANON (sic)

This cast iron canon installed on the Royal Circus opposite the Customs House

was salvaged from the wreck of the Koning Willem II.

It is believed to have been a signal canon.

It is described on length of gun around (?)mm, diameter of bore (?)mm, breech ….

The salvage rights of the ship were sold to Mr Jacob Chambers who sold off items from it,

including doors and other timber now in the Caledonian Inn. Two canons were recovered.”

(Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/research-into-robe-shipwreck-artefacts-king-william-long-beach/103696434 )

According to Bing Copilot: