18th Century Saluting Cannon

2101-16 . . . Saluting cannons, also called Signaling Cannons or Thunder Mugs were used in the 17th and 18th Century as a form of communication between forts. Some large farms and many towns and cities also used signaling cannons to warn residents about attacks by indians. Typically, a signaling cannon was fired each morning at a preset time. The first firing was followed by several others as each town or fort answered the signal. This signal cannon is most likely American made and dates between 1620 and 1780. The English and the French used signaling cannons cast at a foundry. Early colonist tended to make their own. Very few have survived. A similar saluting cannon is on display at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. The cannon is 6 inches tall, 2 1/2 inches wide at the base, and 1 7/8 inches wide at the top. The barrel diameter is 1 1/16.

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