19th century artillery cannon found during construction work in Hong Kong

A British-made cannon barrel discovered in Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday could date to the 19th century and is the city’s first such archaeological find in nearly two decades, Report informs referring to the South China Morning Post.

The barrel, which prompted the force to temporarily cordon off busy Granville Road and call in explosive disposal experts, was discovered on Mody Road near the west area of Urban Council Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui at 12.10 pm (GMT+8) on July 8.

The barrel measures around 15cm (5.9 inches) in diameter and about four metres (13 feet) in length. According to the force, it was found buried three metres underground.

Professor Kwong Chi-man, a military historian at Baptist University, identified the weapon as a coastal defence gun likely made in Britain in the late 19th century and commonly found in British defensive ports.

While the exact arrival date of the cannon in Hong Kong remained unclear, he believed it was either mounted on a coastal battery or aboard a naval vessel, before being deliberately abandoned after decommissioning.

The cannon had no connection to the second world war, he stressed.