The Istana Guns
The Istana Guns. Their origin is unknown.
LEFT & RIGHT: Detail on two of the guns. The photograph on the right tells that the gun is a 9 Pounder.
The Istana Guns were moved to Fort Siloso in 1978. They are naval muzzle loading cannon and were mounted in rows facing outwards through ports (openings) in the side of warships. The guns were served by highly trained and physically strong gun crews.
The guns were normally fired in broadsides (simultaneously) to inflict maximum destruction upon the enemy at short range. They fired various forms of projectiles, all in their own way highly destructive. Solid shot, clusters of small shot known as Grape, Chain-shot and Bar-shot. Chain-shot consisted of two projectiles linked by a chain which could kill many members of an enemy crew with one sweeping blow, or disable and enemy ship by cutting rigging which supported the mast and sails. Bar-shot was two canon balls with an iron bar between them. Its purpose was similar the that of Chain-shot.