#: locale=en ## Tour ### Description tour.description = Tour the different types of artillery at the Castillo De San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. ### Title tour.name = Castillo de San Marcos Artillery Tour ## Skin ### Multiline Text HTMLText_072B4967_0B10_D936_418C_921F582DF5F9.html =
Hot Shot Furnace


The hot shot furnace is part of a water battery, built between 1835 and 1844, located on the east side of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. This furnace would have been stoked by a team of soldiers preparing cannonballs as “hot shot” that would be used to fire at incoming wooden ships. The shot was ready after about 30 minutes of heating in a coal bed. Metal tongs were required to remove the shot and prepare it for firing from the cannon and artillery stationed nearby along the fort’s seawall.


Although not a technique that was battle proven at the Castillo, soldiers did routinely drill for the possibility of using hotshot to fend off invaders. This technology went out of vogue when ironclad ships came into use and made these type of furnaces obsolete.
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Animated Artillery - 18th Century Bronze Mortar



A mortar is the shortest barrel artillery piece, smoothbore, and designed to lob or arc exploding shells, reaching targets behind walls or protective barriers. This particular mortar is made from bronze, and although much more expensive than iron weaponry, the non-rusting properties were preferred in damp and wet environments, such as coastal forts like the Castillo de San Marcos. Bronze weapons were heavier but were able to withstand firing stress better than iron, and had nearly twice the life expectancy. This 15-inch bronze mortar is from Barcelona and dates to 1724. This animation shows how the weaponry is mounted to its carriage.
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Cannon Trunnion with Weight


The right trunnion on this Spanish bronze cannon from 1764, shows the weight of the piece to be 44 quintals (hundredweights) and 81and 1/4 old Castilian pounds- or 4,545 modern pounds. “Este cañón pesa 44 quintales más 81 1/4 libras antiguas castellanas, o 2,062 kilos”


Cannon is on display at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. Our team used structured light scanning to document the artillery piece.
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Cannon Trunnion with Composition


The left trunnion on this Spanish bronze cannon from 1764, shows the composition of the metal to be “light refined coppers”


“Composition del cañón: “cobres afinados y ligeros”


Cannon is on display at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. Our team used structured light scanning to document the artillery piece.
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Cannon Breech and Button


This is the breech and button portion of a bronze cannon curated at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. Our team documented the cannon was 3D laser scanned with a structured light scanner. There is engraving on this portion of the weapon, with the master of foundry and date of casting displayed here. “Solono, hecho en Seville, This cannon can be found on display in the courtyear area. the cannon is an 18-pounder bronze weapon from Sevilla, año de 1764” – translated to “Solono made it, Sevilla, in 1764”.
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Thunderbolts from the Offended King


This motto is emblazoned on the mid-section of a Spanish bronze cannon. “VIOLATI FVLMINA REGIS” (en latin) “Rayos del rey ofendido” - Motto (Latin) “Thunderbolts from the Offended King”


Cannon is on display at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. Our team used structured light scanning to document the artillery piece.
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Spanish Bronze Cannon



Bronze cannon at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida, laser scanned with Artec Spider. This beautifully designed cannon is covered in a rich green patina. Bronze was preferred because it could withstand the stress of firing better than other materials. In coastal Florida, an added benefit is that bronze can withstand dampness and is non-rusting with nearly two times the life expectancy of an iron cannon. Less metal material is required to make a weapon, and bronze could be melted down and recast into a new weapon, as needed. This cannon can be found on display in the courtyear area. the cannon is an 18-pounder bronze weapon from Seville. It dates to 1764, and is named El Milanes (The One from Milan). The piece is on loan to the Castiilo since 1971.
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1724 Bronze Mortar


A mortar is the shortest barrel artillery piece, smoothbore, and designed to lob or arc exploding shells, reaching targets behind walls or protective barriers. This particular mortar is made from bronze, and although much more expensive than iron weaponry, the non-rusting properties were preferred in damp and wet environments, such as coastal forts like the Castillo de San Marcos. Bronze weapons were heavier but were able to withstand firing stress better than iron, and had nearly twice the life expectancy. This 15-inch bronze mortar is from Barcelona and dates to 1724.
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Coat of Arms from Spanish Cannon


The Lions and Castle with shield and crown Coat of Arms depicts Castile and León. This Coat of Arms is found on a Spanish bronze cannon on display at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. Although this cannon is not original to the Castillo and is on loan, it is similar to the type of arms that were used at the fort. The Coat of Arms can also be seen above the Sally Port main entrance 3D Model and on the ravelin entrance at the fort 3D Model.


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Leaping Dolphin Cannon Handles


These are the baroque style lifting lugs or handles with a “dolphin” design are found atop the barrel of a bronze cannon at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. The lugs are placed at the center of gravity on the cannon. The piece was laser scanned with a structured light instrument 3D Cannon Model. This cannon can be found on display in the courtyear area. the cannon is an 18-pounder bronze weapon with origins from Seville. It dates to 1764, and is named El Milanes (The One from Milan).
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Animated Artillery - 18th Century Bronze Mortar



A mortar is the shortest barrel artillery piece, smoothbore, and designed to lob or arc exploding shells, reaching targets behind walls or protective barriers. This particular mortar is made from bronze, and although much more expensive than iron weaponry, the non-rusting properties were preferred in damp and wet environments, such as coastal forts like the Castillo de San Marcos. Bronze weapons were heavier but were able to withstand firing stress better than iron, and had nearly twice the life expectancy. This 15-inch bronze mortar is from Barcelona and dates to 1724. This animation shows how the weaponry is mounted to its carriage.
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Spanish Bronze Cannon - The One From Milan


The name given to the cannon is found here. Each cannon has a story to tell with the areas of engraved lettering and scrollwork found on their surface. The cannon was documented using a structured light instrument as part of a project with the National Park Service Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida.
### Tooltip IconButton_AB0D7B08_F2C4_F5A4_41E7_98B4D5266EF4.toolTip = Open/Close Info IconButton_AE1AC41C_EE47_13E7_4192_7FB3BE15F165.toolTip = Open/Close Map ## Media ### Subtitle panorama_0C5ED5E2_272C_6D5C_41B8_1CF836679711.subtitle = As you climb the stairs from the courtyard, you will come upon the most important part of the Castillo. By 1740, this gun deck and the surrounding city wall mounted over 70 cannons of varying size. The largest of these guns had a range of three and a half miles. With the clear view from these high walls, it is easy to see how the Castillo could defend the town from any attack by either land or sea. The large tower once housed a platform for a lookout and a bell that was rung to warn the town of attack or danger. panorama_0C698CB3_272C_6323_41B1_D408700E1386.subtitle = As you climb the stairs from the courtyard, you will come upon the most important part of the Castillo. By 1740, this gun deck and the surrounding city wall mounted over 70 cannons of varying size. The largest of these guns had a range of three and a half miles. With the clear view from these high walls, it is easy to see how the Castillo could defend the town from any attack by either land or sea. The large tower once housed a platform for a lookout and a bell that was rung to warn the town of attack or danger. panorama_340229C3_893C_F041_41D7_4FCB2DF97126.subtitle = The original latrines were located in what is today the men’s restroom. After the renovation, the Spanish moved them under the ramp to the gundeck. The latrine pit was connected to the harbor with a pipe. High tide filled the pit with water, and low tide flushed waste out into the bay. panorama_5DA4B758_896F_5060_41D7_56780F652BBB.subtitle = The central courtyard of the Castillo, which originally had a dirt floor, served a double purpose. During peacetime, soldiers would assemble here to drill with their muskets. As the common soldier of the 18th century was illiterate, musket and cannon procedures had to be learned by repetitive drilling, not by reading instruction manuals. Once the men had their drills committed to muscle memory, they would not forget them during the heat of battle. It was also here that the citizens of St. Augustine would take refuge when the town was under siege. In this sense, the Castillo was a true castle, built to protect the entire community in times of war. In 1702, the city was attacked by the English, and about 1,500 soldiers and civilians were packed into the Castillo for 51 days! panorama_9D016149_8B7D_B67B_41D1_99DE903E9CE3.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. panorama_9D079B80_8B77_CAEC_41E0_146A305386CD.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. \ panorama_9D0BC07D_8B7F_B61A_41B9_FB3124D5A53E.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. panorama_9D0CF02D_8B75_7635_41D9_B1AA657410D9.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. \ panorama_9D0E9D52_8B75_CE6F_417B_BC4DEEFEDB17.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. \ panorama_9D0FD951_8B7C_D66A_41B7_6F362A5361D8.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. panorama_9D316298_8B74_DA1B_41BA_AA6A743BB646.subtitle = Bastion de San Pablo panorama_9D683067_8B7D_D636_41D7_6878C5CCEA0F.subtitle = The gundeck of the Castillo was once home to over 60 cannons. The standard guns were sixteen, eighteen, and twenty-four pounders, which could fire projectiles up to three miles downrange. The cannons were mounted on heavy naval carriages and placed on wooden decks. The decks were angled down toward the walls, helping absorb some of the recoil when the guns were fired. panorama_9D687744_8B7F_7A69_41AE_C89CE178103F.subtitle = Bastion de San Pedro panorama_9D68E845_8B7D_766B_41D6_00C4697033F3.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. panorama_9D6B2FDA_8B7D_4A19_41C3_E05120B2B700.subtitle = Bastion de San Agustín panorama_9D6CD48A_8B77_BEFC_41DD_C60256D0810B.subtitle = The four diamond-shaped corners of the Castillo are called bastions. They allow the cannons to crossfire on every side of the fort. The bastions each have a name: San Agustín, San Carlos, San Pablo, and San Pedro. The small round towers, garitas, offered soldiers protection from bad weather and the enemy’s sight. The large watchtower had a bell that a sentry could ring to alert the community of approaching enemies. \ \ panorama_9D6D05B4_8B77_5E14_41E1_1CF1E002B2F6.subtitle = This large tower once housed a platform for a lookout and a bell that was rung to warn the town of attack or danger. panorama_9D6E20C8_8B7B_767B_41BC_BA8945CA60CF.subtitle = Here at the Castillo you will see three types of artillery: mortars, howitzers, and cannons. Click on the sign ahead for in-depth information about each type of artillery. panorama_BDD65B3F_8F6C_D06D_41E0_A33F5A903324.subtitle = The central courtyard of the Castillo, which originally had a dirt floor, served a double purpose. During peacetime, soldiers would assemble here to drill with their muskets. As the common soldier of the 18th century was illiterate, musket and cannon procedures had to be learned by repetitive drilling, not by reading instruction manuals. Once the men had their drills committed to muscle memory, they would not forget them during the heat of battle. It was also here that the citizens of St. Augustine would take refuge when the town was under siege. In this sense, the Castillo was a true castle, built to protect the entire community in times of war. In 1702, the city was attacked by the English, and about 1,500 soldiers and civilians were packed into the Castillo for 51 days! panorama_C397649F_F5B8_808B_41EA_A59FFC2DA53C.subtitle = This little room inside the northeast bastion was the Castillo’s first gunpowder magazine. It turned out to be too damp to store gunpowder here, so a new magazine was built in the northwest corner of the fort. \ \ During the 1702 Siege, this area was filled with trash and later sealed shut. It wasn’t opened again until the American period. panorama_C3A02000_F5B8_BF75_41E7_370D77678FC0.subtitle = This small narrow room once housed a staircase to the gundeck to make transporting gunpowder quicker. panorama_C3A0317C_F5B8_818D_41B4_A2C4F6C37984.subtitle = This room was the artillery quarters during the Second Spanish Period (1784 to 1821). \ The tiny doorway you see here is the entrance to the original gunpowder magazine. The Spanish realized soon after construction that the little room was too humid to store powder, so they used it as a trash pit during the 51 days of the 1702 Siege. Eventually, a new magazine was built in the northwest corner. The old magazine and the staircase room were sealed, not to be discovered again until 1832 when a cannon fell through the gundeck. \ panorama_C3A03694_F5B9_809D_41E5_E0B980DC9CAA.subtitle = The Castillo de San Marcos protected St. Augustine for over 200 years, but little protected it. Time, weather, and people have taken their toll. In 1884, Congress appropriated $5,000 for the preservation of the Castillo - the first time federal funds went specifically for historic preservation. \ Today, the National Park Service continues to preserve and protect this unique place. By caring for its physical structure, we ensure its future. By telling the stories of those who lived and served within these historic walls, we honor its past. panorama_C3A28E30_F5B9_8395_41E3_551E128DD940.subtitle = The Castillo de San Marcos protected St. Augustine for over 200 years, but little protected it. Time, weather, and people have taken their toll. In 1884, Congress appropriated $5,000 for the preservation of the Castillo - the first time federal funds went specifically for historic preservation. \ Today, the National Park Service continues to preserve and protect this unique place. By caring for its physical structure, we ensure its future. By telling the stories of those who lived and served within these historic walls, we honor its past. panorama_ED39D0A0_E3D5_9D1B_41B9_E0E2AFF4ABEB.subtitle = Park Hours: First admission is at 9:00 am and last admission is at 5:00 pm. All visitors must be out of the park by 5:15 pm. \ The park grounds are closed from midnight until 5:30 am. \ \ The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25). panorama_F1F01D68_E4BD_A725_41D9_9AF9FCD157FE.subtitle = Here at the Castillo you will see three types of artillery: mortars, howitzers, and cannons. Click on the sign ahead for in-depth information about each type of artillery. panorama_F1FCF940_E4BC_AF64_41C8_D6896E3C7174.subtitle = This small oven -like structure is a hot shot furnace, used to heat cannonballs red-hot to be fired at wooden ships. panorama_F1FDA1C4_E4BD_7F6D_41E0_A4154375B07C.subtitle = The small oven -like structure is a hot shot furnace, used to heat cannonballs red-hot to be fired at wooden ships. panorama_F1FEB459_E4BC_A567_41E4_577C9D19F3BB.subtitle = The small oven -like structure is a hot shot furnace, used to heat cannonballs red-hot to be fired at wooden ships. panorama_F1FFD7DB_E4BC_E31A_41DC_D54F68D81C48.subtitle = The small oven -like structure is a hot shot furnace, used to heat cannonballs red-hot to be fired at wooden ships. Click the sign ahead to find out more information. panorama_F204D580_E4B3_67E5_41BB_0B118DFAFD15.subtitle = After Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821, the Castillo was renamed Fort Marion and remained a defensive post. The Americans brought the fort’s defenses up to date by thickening the seawall, filling in this section of the moat, and building granite and iron semi-circular gun platforms. ### Title map_00853E88_0DAF_B760_41A5_356906790C40.label = Casemates and Ravelin map_012C440F_0DAF_6B60_4196_ECF92DED1B82.label = Gun Deck map_1E6C7128_0DD8_EDA1_41A5_C0F221DC52F1.label = Fort Grounds panorama_0C5D6CC1_272C_635C_41C0_10CC8557BC2A.label = Gun Deck panorama_0C5E7353_272C_257C_418D_7D24728365E8.label = Gun Deck panorama_0C5ED5E2_272C_6D5C_41B8_1CF836679711.label = Gun Deck panorama_0C698CB3_272C_6323_41B1_D408700E1386.label = Gun Deck panorama_0C739360_272C_E55C_41B9_227D5FC82D16.label = Stairs to Gun Deck panorama_0C772FC6_272C_3D65_41BD_323F37ED1F5B.label = Stairs to Gun Deck panorama_340229C3_893C_F041_41D7_4FCB2DF97126.label = Latrines panorama_59CB51C9_892C_D0B7_41C4_8B9D0DFFE106.label = Courtyard panorama_5CF2E018_7942_7B30_41DD_2EDBD1159FD4.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_5CF4EA8C_7942_2F11_41CB_65D516900949.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_5CFB260C_794D_E710_41DA_A20D7A6EA276.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_5CFB3808_794E_2B10_41CD_4BF5AFE24E32.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_5CFB9E23_794E_E710_41C7_1CD50AACD9BB.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_5DA4B758_896F_5060_41D7_56780F652BBB.label = Courtyard panorama_9D016149_8B7D_B67B_41D1_99DE903E9CE3.label = Bastion de San Agustín panorama_9D079B80_8B77_CAEC_41E0_146A305386CD.label = Bastion de San Carlos panorama_9D0808AC_8B75_563B_41C6_E57FA3465B01.label = Gun Deck panorama_9D098816_8B7F_75E9_418A_5A7FAF9328DA.label = Gun Deck panorama_9D0BC07D_8B7F_B61A_41B9_FB3124D5A53E.label = Bastion de San Pedro panorama_9D0CF02D_8B75_7635_41D9_B1AA657410D9.label = Bastion de San Pablo panorama_9D0E9D52_8B75_CE6F_417B_BC4DEEFEDB17.label = Bastion de San Pablo panorama_9D0F2B72_8B7C_CA29_41CA_C76DDAE8A73F.label = Gun Deck panorama_9D0FD951_8B7C_D66A_41B7_6F362A5361D8.label = Bastion de San Pedro panorama_9D316298_8B74_DA1B_41BA_AA6A743BB646.label = Northwest Terreplein panorama_9D6813BE_8B7D_7A16_41DE_6B1C8588D830.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D683067_8B7D_D636_41D7_6878C5CCEA0F.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D687744_8B7F_7A69_41AE_C89CE178103F.label = Southwest Terreplein panorama_9D689DEA_8B7F_4E3E_41D0_40B7014623D1.label = Gun Deck panorama_9D68E845_8B7D_766B_41D6_00C4697033F3.label = Bastion de San Agustín panorama_9D693917_8B7C_B615_41D6_DA0D093C305E.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D694525_8B7C_DE35_41CF_C8F10B1A9C2B.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D6B2FDA_8B7D_4A19_41C3_E05120B2B700.label = Southeast Terreaplein panorama_9D6CD48A_8B77_BEFC_41DD_C60256D0810B.label = Bastion de San Carlos panorama_9D6D05B4_8B77_5E14_41E1_1CF1E002B2F6.label = Main Watch Tower panorama_9D6E20C8_8B7B_767B_41BC_BA8945CA60CF.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D6EA1D1_8B7B_766A_41D9_FBB0B7272051.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_9D6ECB3C_8B74_CA1B_41CC_24F462B68D8E.label = Gun Deck panorama_9E4BDB2F_8B57_4A22_41B3_7F8BD5BB399B.label = Gun Deck Artillery panorama_BDD65B3F_8F6C_D06D_41E0_A33F5A903324.label = Courtyard panorama_C397649F_F5B8_808B_41EA_A59FFC2DA53C.label = Room 20 panorama_C3A0317C_F5B8_818D_41B4_A2C4F6C37984.label = Room 18 panorama_C3A03694_F5B9_809D_41E5_E0B980DC9CAA.label = Room 21 panorama_C3A15B60_F5B8_81B5_4173_81A245163CFC.label = Room 18 panorama_C3A28E30_F5B9_8395_41E3_551E128DD940.label = Room 21 panorama_ED39D0A0_E3D5_9D1B_41B9_E0E2AFF4ABEB.label = Ticket Booth and Fort Entrance panorama_F0C5556D_FEC4_C748_41C4_501A54150943.label = Courtyard panorama_F1F01D68_E4BD_A725_41D9_9AF9FCD157FE.label = Waterfront Batery panorama_F1FCF940_E4BC_AF64_41C8_D6896E3C7174.label = Hotshot Furnace panorama_F1FDA1C4_E4BD_7F6D_41E0_A4154375B07C.label = Hotshot Furnace panorama_F1FEB459_E4BC_A567_41E4_577C9D19F3BB.label = Hotshot Furnace panorama_F1FFD7DB_E4BC_E31A_41DC_D54F68D81C48.label = Hotshot Furnace panorama_F204D580_E4B3_67E5_41BB_0B118DFAFD15.label = American Modifications video_3ED78F36_F2C7_0E67_41A8_11F024D71267.label = CASA_22s_FujiF125LUT ## Popup ### Body htmlText_070D98C3_14F1_2BA6_41A7_1A8D28CF4757.html =
Barcelona, 1733 or '35 (last number is worn and difficult to read).
Named El Icaro (The Icarus).
Gifted to NPS, 1960.
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Barcelona, 1733 or '35 (last number is worn and difficult to read).
Named El Icaro (The Icarus).
Gifted to NPS, 1960.
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It was in the 17th and 18th century with the global expansion of European colonization and commerce that gunpowder came into its own in the form of small arms, i.e., portable gunpowder weapons small enough to be used by the individual soldier, most notably the smoothbore musket. Their introduction at such a critical period of history literally changes the world.
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This room was the original gunpowder magazine. The Spanish realized soon after construction that the little room was too humid to store powder, so they used it as a trash pit during the 51 days of the 1702 Siege. Eventually, a new magazine was built in the northwest corner. The old magazine and the staircase room were sealed, not to be discovered again until 1832 when a cannon fell through the gundeck.
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