Crimean Era Cannon

The Cannon at the Brisbane Yacht Club

Now at Brisbane Sailing Squadron. The Cannon came from the Area near the old Bulimba Brewery it was one of two that were placed strategically on the Cliffs at New Farm near where the Storey Bridge now stands. Captain Chesterman (Capt of the Cape Moreton Lighthouse ship}and a member of the Brisbane Yacht club approached the club to see if it was interested in one of the two cannons as they were going to be sold for scrap metal. The club obviously took up the offer and arranged with another member Ralph Beckingham, Valley Spare Parts to pick up the cannon and bring it down to the club at Bulimba. Captain Chesterman or a friend visited Plymouth England and copied the plans for the wooden mounting of the cannon. The frame for the cannon was made by a shipwright organised by Captain Chesterman. The cannon was originally placed in the front of the club but unfortunately the timber work deteriorated in the weather. The club decided to mount the cannon on a besser block frame and move it to the Quay Street entrance to the club. Garry Bell a member at the time built the new base. The existing wheels are still at the BYC under the building.

As told by Graham Scott

(Previous Commodore Brisbane Yacht Squadron)