Helicopter transports historic cannons from St Michael's Mount for preservation

This week, a helicopter hoisted a collection of historic artillery pieces off the tidal island of St Michael's Mount, kicking off a meticulously organized restoration program designed to safeguard the weapons for posterity.

Located off Cornwall’s coast, St Michael's Mount is a well‑known landmark celebrated for its medieval castle, chapel and the striking causeway that appears at low tide, attracting thousands of tourists annually. The cannons, integral to the island’s defensive legacy from the 18th and 19th centuries, have been subjected for years to the severe sea‑air conditions that hasten corrosion and deterioration.

After evaluating the guns, conservation experts determined that taking them off‑site was the most practical way to stop additional decay. Using a helicopter to move the hefty metalwork allowed the team to bypass the difficulties of ferrying the pieces across the causeway and navigating the castle’s cramped interior.

The lift employed a specially configured helicopter and a crew of heritage engineers who fastened each cannon with bespoke slings. After being lifted, the artillery was flown to a dedicated workshop where specialists will clean, stabilize and treat the metal, replace absent fittings, and meticulously record each piece.

This extraction forms part of a larger initiative to protect coastal historic assets that face growing threats from climate change. Once restored, the cannons may be exhibited again on the mount after conservation finishes, or placed in a local museum, providing visitors a concrete connection to the island’s martial history.

Although officials have not released a precise schedule, they anticipate the restoration will span several months, after which the ultimate location of the cannons will be decided. The undertaking highlights the continued dedication of heritage organisations to safeguard and interpret England’s historic artillery and other vulnerable cultural treasures.