Kings Block House |
Named after George III of Great Britain, high on the Eastern flank of Table Mountain is the highest of a series of Block Houses built by the British in 1796. Kings block house was placed there as from that point it was possible to see False Bay on the Eastern side of the Cape Peninsula and from there it was possible to signal via the other blockhouses to Cape Town's Castle warning them of approaching ships entering False Bay. Kings Block House remains intact but in poor condition but it could be restored to its former condition given the necessary funding and effort. |
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Just below the Block House a Swedish 25 pounder Stavsjö gun was placed there by the British. Such a gun would command an enormous range in such an elevated position. It is currently on a British cast iron garrison carriage of a later period designed for an 18 pounder gun and thus unsuitable for use in a working condition. As the site is relatively isolated and as it has not been looked after the site has been at the mercy of vandals and few people know of the historic significance of the site. |
Though it looks otherwise, the c.1782 gun is actually in excellent condition and we are convinced it could be restored to working condition if placed on a suitable wooden carriage. Restoration work would entail the surfacing of a suitable platform as well as the creation of a hardwood carriage and the testing and proofing of the barrel. |
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