Hands on Tauranga offers students stimulating and original learning opportunities with real museum objects that support the New Zealand curriculum at primary and secondary school level.
Two complete cannon balls and a fragment from a cannon ball. The balls are made from cast iron.
These spheres of cast iron are also referred to as 'shot'
During the Battle of Pukehinahina Gate Pā, the British fired cannon balls from a device called a coehorn mortar. Their usual horizontal cannon shot would often not penetrate the thick woven barrier mats that were hung outside Māori pā to protect the wooden structures. The vertical trajectory and plunging fire of the Coehorns was effective in reaching over the walls of the pā.
Fun fact: in the olden days some New Zealand schools used cannon balls for shot put practice!
max dimension: 40mm 2oz, 90mm 4oz, 130mm 12oz
subject area: Social Science, Technology, Maths and Statistics
specific themes: War, Conflict, Military, Weapon
handling collection number: HC98/1-3
why not get your hands on these... HC11 Army Officer's Cap, HC135 Field Dressing, HC55 Gas Mask, HC12 Army Hat, HC30 Army Uniform, HC136 Battle Dress, HC99 Bayonet, HC100 Grenade Shell, HC82 Sam Brown Belt, HC133 Water Bottle, HC68 Musket Balls and Caps, HC40 Army Helmet
