Barbara Birchwood-Harper, the Museum Curator and LOC Archivist writes: The cannon which stands outside the museum was “fished out” of Looe Bay during the last century. It is believed to have belonged to a 17^th century Swedish warship.

Finbaker (pronounced Finbacker) was the name of a popular type of cannon of the period. The barrel weighs half a ton. The carriage is a reproduction by George Whitehead.

It was used as a bollard on the old quay for many years.

The crenellated tower to the right of the map was never built, according to the lettering above it, however, it is puzzling that 2 Looe streets, Tower Hill & Castle St lead up that way.

Looe has a long association with cannon, this print from Henry VIII times, shows a battery of cannon on East Looe seafront as part of the town defences against the French and Spanish.

A document from town papers records subscriptions towards the maintenance of a gunner for East Looe, prior to 1607.

Thomas Bond, writing in 1823, records that East Looe is fortified by a parapet wall which formerly held 10 x 6 pounder cannons with a further 4 on the hill above. In 1803, the Volunteer Company was established and were accomplished in using cannon and small arms.

In 1878, a 64 pounder R.M.L. gun was issued to the Battery.  Over the years, 311 volunteers served in the corps.  They wore distinctive navy uniforms with red facings, yellow tassels and white waistcoat.

There are several types of cannonballs in the museum, from pre 17^th century stone to later iron and even wood!