Moving in the ordnance at Fort St. Thomas, Marsascala. The final touches are currently being applied to this historic fort built in 1614 before it opens its doors to the public as the new "Pirates & Corsairs Museum". This new museum is part-funded through European Regional Development Funds and national funds. It is the result of a close cooperation between the Malta Tourism Authority and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.
The cannon shown in the photograph is an original late 18th century British 2-pounder Smooth Bore Muzzle Loader mounted on its original truck carriage. Guns of this type were produced in large numbers by commercial gun founders to arm merchantmen and privateers. Until the 20th century, no merchandise carried on a merchantmen was insured unless the vessel had its own means of defence against pirates, boarding parties and inquisitive natives.
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