 |
|
| One cannon being readied for conservation at Texas A&M University. | A team of Texas A&M students work swarm over the cannon to carefully remove the rocky concretion. |
 |
|
| A pair of Texas A&M marine archaeology students set the cannon on its side to remove the rocky concretion. | The wooden base of the cannon was eventually fully exposed after carefully removing the rocky concretion. Shown upside down here, the t-shaped object projecting from the base fit into a slot to help sailors control the cannon's recoil during firing. |
 |
|
| A Texas A&M student at the conservation research lab uses a small air-powered tool to carefully remove the rock and sand shell coating the cannon. | The cannon's wood and metal parts must first be exposed, then separated so they can be treated to resist corrosion. |
 |
|
| With the rocky concretion nearly gone, the cannon must be kept wet to prevent more corrosion. | The cannon with the rocky concretion removed. It is never allowed to rest on the fragile wooden base (probably oak). |
 |
|
| A close-up detail of the cannon's rear end. A large screw fit into this hole, allowing the sailors to point the cannon up or down to aim during firing. | Exciting: a mark on the cannon's surface that looks like a broad arrow, indicating the cannon probably came to the US from the British Royal Navy. The young US Navy bought many such arms from overseas in the early 19th century. |
| |
| Marine artifact conservation specialist Jim Jobling at Texas A&M University looks over the Arch Cape Cannon as they arrive at his lab. | Graduates students at Texas A&M University's Conservation Research Lab prepare to unload the Arch Cape Cannon and begin conservation. |
 |  |
| Nehalem Bay Interpreter Shelley Parker connects students with the historic cannon. | X-ray showing cannon elevation screw |
 |  |
| Local schoolkids reach out and learn about the cannon | State park interpreters share the cannon with local students. |
 |  |
| The cannon will be immersed in water to prevent more corrosion and draw out salt | A replica of a cannon from the USS Shark, shipwrecked in 1846 and possibly the source of these two cannon. On display at the Cannon Beach Historical Society. |
 |  |
Both cannon are loaded on a truck and taken to Nehalem Bay State Park
| Park staff transfer the cannon to stock tanks at the park |
 |  |
More sand moved with heavy equipment, just to the side of the artifacts
| A hoist gently lifts the cannon free |
| |
Cannon as it was found on the beach at Arch Cape. A second cannon was found further toward the ocean.
| Park crews work carefully with hand tools to clear sand from around artifacts |