A Deadly Purpose

I suppose with Plymouth's long maritime and  naval history you would expect to find a few canons around the waterfront. Some are now partially submerged in cement. stone and concrete, and have been used along the edge of quays for ship's moorings. Others, like this one on Plymouth Hoe today have been preserved and face defiantly out to sea. Although essentially ornamental now, they once had a deadly purpose. Anyone who has had a tour of HMS Victory at Portsmouth will understand the crowded, crampt and damp conditions that sailors had to live in, and the effect that a hit from cannon shot would have on a wooden-hulled sailing ship. Today there were flowers on the wall here. Perhaps, in memory of someone who enjoyed the view from this point, or possibly a young person who was killed jumping of the wall here into the sea. A practice known as tombstoning.