In Penang, fort awaits return of 200-year-old cannons

Two British-era cannons, restored to their original state, on display at USM’s archaeology gallery in Gelugor.

GEORGE TOWN: Two British-era cannons estimated to be about 200 years old, unearthed in a moat surrounding Fort Cornwallis last year, have been fully restored and will be returned to the fort soon.

The cannons, measuring 2.35m by 2.2m, bear the royal cypher of UK’s King George III – GR, or George Rex – who ruled the empire from 1760 to 1820.

Researchers believe they are made of copper, with the interior comprising iron.

The cannons were discovered on Feb 19 last year by a team working to restore the moat. Nine cannonballs from the same era were found nearby the next month.

The discoveries indicate that the fort was used in wars and was not what is known as a “peaceful fort”.

George Town World Heritage Inc general manager Ang Ming Chee (in blue collar) explains the significance of the cannons.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in the dug-up moat of Fort Cornwallis in 2018. (Bernama pic)

The cannons were restored by a team of archaeologists at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at a cost of RM32,100, funded by state heritage agency George Town World Heritage Inc.

Mohd Mokhtar Saidin, director of USM’s Centre for Global Archaeological Research, said another cannon and mortar from the same era were also found at the moat.

These will be brought to USM for restoration works as well, which are expected to take about a year.

Chief archaeologist Mohd Mokhtar Saidin (crouching) and his team members check on the two cannons discovered at Fort Cornwallis in 2018.

Mokhtar said records showed that Fort Cornwallis had 140 cannons and mortars, only 24 of which have been found. Of these, 17 have been placed around the fort.

Mokhtar was speaking to reporters at the USM archaeology gallery at the varsity’s campus in Gelugor today.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was also present, had earlier unveiled the restored cannons.

He said many more cannons are expected to be unearthed as part of the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation’s (GTCDC) work in restoring the north shorefront, where the fort is located.

GTCDC is a company owned by Penang Chief Minister Inc, Think City and Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Chow thanked Mokhtar and his team for their work in restoring the cannons, adding that these should be placed back at the fort.

“I was wondering where these cannons should be kept.

“Perhaps to ensure our political hold on the state, the top of Komtar would be more appropriate than the fort,” he joked.

Fort Cornwallis, the largest standing fort in Malaysia, is named after then-governor-general of Bengal, Charles Cornwallis, a leading British general famous for his involvement in the US War of Independence.

It was built in 1786 by the East India Company (EIC), using nibong (palm trunks), to protect Penang from pirates and Kedah.

Penang was originally part of the Kedah sultanate until EIC’s Captain Francis Light took over the island.

It was rebuilt in 1810 using bricks and mortar.

It also houses storage for gunpowder, a chapel, and cell rooms to hold prisoners. - FMT