Offered (on consignment) a one iron cannon from a Florida Keys Colonial Period shipwreck. This cannon is the first in the photo - we have 13 cannons.

SPANISH COLONIAL CANNON - consignment sale.

YEARS OUT OF WATER: 50+

LENGTH: 113 inches

MUZZLE DIAMETER: 9 inches with encrustation

FIRING END DIAMETER: 14 inches with encrustation

CONDITION: no cracks, heavy encrustation.

PRESENT LOCATION: Kissimmee, Florida

Please note - this cannon was recovered about 50 years ago from a shipwreck in the Florida Keys (from governmental sources). It may have had some initial stabilization but no other treatment that we are aware of since then. It was initially on display at a museum on the Central Florida east cost, then moved to central florida. It was later abandoned and left lay in mud. Whereas it has not exhibited any further deterioration and has somewhat stabilized in the central Florida environment (temperatures from freezing to 100 ºF) - we do not recommend relocation to a different environment without conservation. Changes in temperature and humidity other than those of its present environment may cause moisture and metal chlorides (iron chloride) to expand and cause cracking and decay. If relocated to another environment, it may require a long period of conservation and stabilization. It is not advisable to relocate to an outside environment where summer heat and extreme winter temperature are realized.

This artifact described was recovered from one of the many ships which were destroyed along Florida's coastlines during the age of exploration and the subsequent European colonization of the Americas.

Between 1492 and the middle of the eighteenth century, Spain extracted billions of dollars worth of gold, silver, emeralds, pearls and other treasures from the Caribbean basin. These treasures were combined with other treasures and trade goods carried across the Pacific Ocean on the Manila Galleons. The treasures and trade goods were reloaded in the New World seat of power, Havana, Cuba, and shipped to Spain in large, armed convoys. Led by such men as Christopher Columbus, Ponce de Leon and Hernando Cortes, the Spanish established control of the wealth of the New World.

Increasing populations in the colonies and the need for available currency necessitated the establishment of Spanish Colonial mints. The coins from these mints were commonly referred to as "cobs," pieces of gold or silver material that were hand made until the mid-eighteenth century, at which time the machine coin press was introduced to the Colonial Mints. Coins were minted in gold escudos (doubloons), in silver reales (pieces-of-eight), and copper marvedes.

Many obstacles hampered the Spanish conquistadores and merchants during their voyages which carried them along Florida's coastlines, heavily laden with the riches of the New World: virulent disease, primitive navigational instruments, cumbersome ships, devastating hurricanes, treacherous coral reefs, pirates, and the naval might of England, France and the Netherlands.

This artifact, incarcerated by the sea many years ago, now gives silent testimony to a time when the only form of international travel was by sailing vessel, subject to all the perils of the sea. If the passengers and crew managed to survive the twisting, crushing carnage and horror of a shipwreck, many times they were subjected to attacks by the native population, made hostile by the intense European aggression.

Origin: Recovered from a shipwreck believed to be the remains of the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet.