64 Pounder RML Guns
There are six 64 Pounders on display. Five were brought to the Fort from Pearl’s Hill Police Headquarters in 1974. On Blakang Mati, 64 Pounders were also emplaced at Fort Connaught on the eastern side of the island.
LEFT: The two 64 Pounders at the entrance to the Fort.
The 64 Pounder Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) Guns at the Fort were probably Mark IIIs and were mounted on traversing platforms. The gun weighted 98 Cwt (4979Kg) and had a range of 4000 yards (3,600 metres) and fired a 64 pound (29 Kg) common shell of 6.3 Inches (16 Cm) in diameter.
The gun could be manned by a team of four gunners although a typical team consisted of eight men.
The Gun Commander
No.1 The Gun Layer, controlling aiming and firing.
No.2 Handling swabbing the gun barrel between shots.
No.3 Handspike and hauling down tackle.
No.4 Helping No. 2, operating the truck lever and elevating the gun.
No.5 Truck lever and assisting the No.7.
No.6 Handling cartridge cases.
No.7 Handling fuses, shells and running back the gun.
A 64 Pounder on a Garrison Carriage.
This is one of the pair at the entrance to the Fort.
LEFT: A Trunnion on the 64 Pounder shown above. The Trunnion fits on to the gun mount and enables the barrel to be swivelled up or down. The writing on the Trunnion shows that the gun is a Mark III, was made in 1874 and has a serial number 2767.
RIGHT: Queen Victoria’s Cypher.
LEFT: Three 64 Pounder Barrels mounted near the Magazine.
RIGHT: A forlorn looking 64 Pounder on Mount Siloso.