Deniliquin 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun
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| Deniliquin 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun | |
|---|---|
  Location of Deniliquin 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun in New South Wales  Deniliquin 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun (Australia) | |
| Location | 72 End Street, Deniliquin, Edward River Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°32′08″S 144°58′03″E / 35.5355°S 144.9676°E |
| Built | 1855–1864 |
| Architect | Sir William Armstrong |
| Official name | 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun (Armstrong) (moveable heritage item); 12 Pdr RBL; 12 Pdr Armstrong |
| Type | State heritage (movable / collection) |
| Designated | 15 April 2016 |
| Reference no. | 1947 |
| Type | Other – Military |
| Category | Defence |
The 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun is a heritage-listed weapon at 72 End Street, Deniliquin, New South Wales, in state's Riverina region. It was designed by Sir William Armstrong and built from 1855 to 1864. It is also known as 12 Pounder Rifled Breech-Loading Gun (Armstrong) (moveable heritage item), 12 Pdr RBL and 12 Pdr Armstrong. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 April 2016.[1]
Upon its design in 1854 and its introduction into active military service, the 12-pound (5.4 kg) rifled breech-loading gun was an unparalleled technological advancement for the international artillery industry. Designed by Sir William Armstrong, often regarded as the inventor of modern artillery, the new rifled field gun was loaded from the rear which allowed it to fire a greater number of times, and at a greater range with improved accuracy, than the earlier guns loaded through the muzzle at the front. This new technology also introduced a new shape for the projectile - rather than the traditional round ball shape, it was now conical (much like today's bullets). Forged of wrought iron, the breech-loading gun had a rifled barrel with a tapered end that improved the aim of the projectile as it left the barrel and, for the first time in modern artillery, the gun was installed on a two-wheel box carriage which allowed the weapon to be more easily manoeuvred and its barrel elevated.[1]
Although a practicing engineer, Sir William Armstrong turned his skills to artillery in the late 1840s and was soon designing and producing weapons. His most notable achievement (as described above) was the design of the Armstrong breech-loading gun (produced in several calibre ranges including six, nine, 12, 20, 40 and 110 pound models) in gun design for centuries, Armstrong was knighted for his services to the British state in 1859.[1]
Following the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1853, there was some anxiety and sense of paranoia amongst the Australian colonists about safety from invasion. In response, those colonists with means soon developed self-reliant volunteer defence units to protect themselves and their property. Although often self-funded, these units were furnished with arms and ammunition from their respective colonial governments and, in the early 1860s when the Australian colonies started taking delivery of a number of Armstrong's revolutionary rifled breech-loading guns, eight examples of the 12-pound type were acquired. Six guns were received by the Victorian Volunteer Field Artillery in 1864 and, of these, three were transferred to the Rupertswood Half Battery in 1889. Forming part of the Battery of the Victorian Horses Artillery with the Werribee Half Battery, the Rupertswood Half Battery was a mounted military unit funded privately and entirely by Sir William Clarke, a wealthy landowner and philanthropist. Disbanded upon Clarke's death in 1897, his patriotic efforts in supporting the colonial military through the Rupertswood Half Battery were recognised by the Victorian government's Defence Department and two guns were presented to his widow, Janet Lady Clarke.[1]
Upon the marriage of their daughter Lily Vera Montague Clarke to Major George Landale in 1910, one of the guns (donated by the Victorian government) was gifted by Lady Clarke to the newly-weds who transported it to "Dunwilly Station", near Deniliquin. Here the weapon stood (the first and only of its type in NSW) at the entrance to the station for many decades.[1]
In the 1980s, the significance of the 12-pounder rifled breech-loading gun at the station's entrance was finally realised and it underwent conservation works by the Army Apprentices School in 1988/89. Today the gun is in its complete and functioning form and it is displayed, alongside its box carriage and projectiles, in a custom-made, climate controlled structure at the Returned and Services League Club at Deniliquin.[1]
Australia retains a small number of the rifled breech-loading gun (of varying calibres). One 12-pounder guns is retained at the Australian War Memorial, one at Werribee and an incomplete one is being restored and will be then placed in Victoria. The 12-pounder rifled breech-loading gun at Deniliquin is the only example of this gun in NSW.[1]
Description
A mid-19th century cannon with remnant carriage parts and example of projectile, located in a custom-built climate-controlled gazebo structure outside the Deniliquin RSL Club.[1]
Gun display is supported by interpretive plaques and a photograph outlining historical and technical information.[1]
Condition
As at 1 September 2016, the weapon underwent conservation and refurbishment work by the Army Apprentices School in 1988/89. Today the gun is in its complete and functioning form and it is displayed, alongside its box carriage and projectiles, in a custom-made, climate controlled structure at the Returned and Services League Club at Deniliquin. The gun is in good condition.[1]
The weapon underwent conservation and refurbishment work by the Army Apprentices School in 1988/89. Today the gun is in its complete and functioning form and it is displayed, alongside its box carriage and projectiles, in a custom-made, climate controlled structure at the Returned and Services League Club at Deniliquin.[1]
Modifications and dates
The weapon underwent conservation and refurbishment work by the Army Apprentices School in 1988/89.[1]
