100 Ton Gun
South district
20 min
There are only two of these 100-ton guns left in the world; the other one is in Malta. Named after Baron Napier of Magdala, this battery was built between 1878 and 1884, in response to recommendations for a heavy muzzle-loading rifle battery for the area.
The guns landed in Gibraltar on 10 December 1882. Unloaded via the New Mole Battery, it took twenty-one days to be transported by special sleigh the mere four hundred yards to its battery position. As such, it was mounted in 1883.
The gun present in the battery now is, in fact, the original gun from Victoria Battery - located near the fire station. In 1898, during practice firing, the original Napier gun split and was deemed to be in the more important position. The original gun is said to be under the nearby Fortress HQ building, buried in a large pit.
The gun was made obsolete by 1906, and all hydraulics have been removed, though the gun remains.
Inclusion
This site is included on some tours and can be added as an optional extra.
You must use the special booking form or get in touch to book customised tours.