Historic St Michael’s Mount Cannons Airlifted for Restoration
Sky-High History: Royal Navy Airlifts St Michael’s Mount Cannons
If you were anywhere near Mount’s Bay recently, you might have spotted a remarkable sight overhead. In an extraordinary joint effort, a Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose in Helston took to the skies to lift 18 historic iron cannons off St Michael’s Mount. Dubbed ‘Operation Cormoran’s Throw’—a nod to the legendary giant said to have built the Mount—the airlift carefully moved the heavy artillery pieces one by one across the water to Folly Field Car Park in Marazion. With refuelling support operating out of the Penzance Helicopters helipad, the precision flying displayed the finest of local naval skills while solving a massive logistical challenge for the island’s managers. Moving these centuries-old iron guns down from the steep castle ramparts by hand or boat proved impossible, making the Navy’s training exercise a win-win for everyone involved. For local residents watching from the Marazion shoreline, the sight of multi-ton historic weapons floating beneath the aircraft against the backdrop of Mount’s Bay was an unforgettable community spectacle.
Community Partnerships and Preserving Cornwall’s Heritage
This ambitious project relies on a close partnership between St Aubyn Estates, the National Trust, and specialist restorers at Dorothea Restorations. Henry Mathews, head of land and property at St Aubyn Estates, emphasized how central these English cannons are to the castle’s rich narrative. Initial inspections reveal that at least three of the weapons bear the royal crest of King George II, dating them back to between 1727 and 1760. Decades of exposure to harsh Atlantic salt spray have caused serious corrosion beneath old paint layers. To ensure their long-term survival, the National Trust is funding a thorough conservation process using dedicated historic preservation reserves. Royal Navy Commander Ben Kerley noted that transferring heavy loads in challenging coastal conditions provided crucial real-world practice for his crew prior to North Atlantic patrols. Specialist restorers will now work meticulously to strip away rust, repair structural integrity, and apply protective coatings to safeguard the ironwork for generations to come.
What Local Residents Need to Know and What Comes Next
For West Cornwall residents and history enthusiasts, this operation marks the beginning of an exciting conservation journey. Once the painstaking restoration work is complete, the cannons will make a triumphant return to their iconic posts overlooking Mount’s Bay. In the meantime, visitors to the Mount can still explore the castle grounds and learn about the ongoing restoration efforts. As season preparations continue across the county, off-peak months offer a wonderful opportunity to explore our local landmarks without summer crowds. Whether you plan a scenic walk around Marazion, head north to go to Newquay for coastal rambles, or visit nearby Trencrom Hill, supporting our local heritage benefits the entire region. Community members should keep an eye on updates from the National Trust and St Aubyn Estates for announcements on when the restored artillery will take its return flight back to the island fortress.
Source: Remarkable scenes as historic cannons airlifted from St Michael’s Mount
