Bomb Experts to look at Cannonballs Discovered at Point Fairy, VIC
This article was published in 2020
Police have sought advice from explosives experts to assess the safety of unusual cannonballs from the 1800s that were unexpectedly uncovered during a restoration project in the Victorian seaside town of Port Fairy.
Key points:
· The Battery Hill cannons are a popular tourist attraction and are being restored.
· Local history enthusiast Marten Syme says he had no idea the cannons contained unusual exploding grapeshot cannonballs.
· Port Fairy's cannons were set up during the 19th century due to a fear of Russian invasion.
The discovery of the "exploding" cannonballs was referred to local officers, who sent photos to explosives experts to ensure that more than a dozen cannonballs didn't pose a safety risk.
It's understood military personnel will inspect the cannonballs in person sometime next week and in the meantime, the restoration work in continuing.
Cannons set up to 'save us from the Russians'
The cannons undergoing renovations have been in the coastal town since the 1860s and 1870s, when they were set up to defend Victoria from a perceived threat of Russian invasion.
