The Anchorage Carronades
Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Mariners' Monument on the waterfront at Thunder Bay features five well maintained carronades. These were cast at Carron Foundries in Falkirk Scotland between 1801 and 1803.

These guns have had a substantial history in both the Navy and the Army. Admiral Nelson credited these weapons as the key to victory at Trafalgar, as did Wellington at Waterloo. They served in many of the forts and defences of Canada until retired by modernization.

These guns were originally designed as a lightweight, low velocity piece of artillery that could keep up with the infantry rather than the heavier, bulkier cannons that were difficult to transport. This advantage was also applicable to the Navy and the design was later adapted for naval gunfire.

The carronades at the Anchorage were originally taken from storage in Montreal in 1911 and mounted on the terraces in front of the newly constructed Collegiate Institue and Gore Park. City progress saw the guns dispersed and these were relegated to the obscurity of Black Bay Bluffs. The Naval Veterans of Thunder Bay rescued and restored them in their present location

Plaques affixed with the guns indicate strong community support from The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, Mr Harvey W. Smith of Lakehead Freightways Limited and Mr. Jim Black.

The carronade predates the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and was never used in service by any of its units.

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Photos and text provided by LCol L. Jensen