Did You Know?
The MLR-cannon at the Middle North Battery in Simonstown is a 64-pounder rifled muzzle-loading (RML) gun, typical of coastal artillery used by the British Empire in the late 19th century. The battery was constructed in 1896 as part of the defensive fortifications for the Simon's Town naval base, which was a key strategic asset for the Royal Navy in the South Atlantic. The gun was mounted on a traversing carriage, allowing it to cover the approaches to the harbour, and was intended to deter or engage enemy warships. The battery formed part of a broader network of coastal defences around Simon's Town, including the nearby South Battery and other positions, which were upgraded during the tensions leading up to the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
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