If you’re like me you’ve run the campus loop, or driven down College Road passing campus, only to notice a big, black cannon adjacent to the flag pole in the middle of Hoggard lawn. I recently got to wondering why it was there, who put it there, and what, if anything, it was supposed to be symbolizing.
I contacted Robert Warren, Landscape Services Superintendent for the UNCW Physical Plant, who directed me to Tyrone Rowell, Assistant to the Chancellor for Special Projects. Rowell informed me that the cannon was recovered by the UNCW Marine Archaeology department from the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Fort Fisher in 1974.
During the project UNCW students and faculty helped remove two identical cannons from the U.S.S. Peterhoff. The Peterhoff was a naval blockade ship that was on duty approximately 1 mile off the coast of Fort Fisher, when it sunk in 1863. The cannons were both restored at Fort Fisher, where one remains. The other is on loan to the University, displayed proudly on Hoggard Lawn.
Because the cannon is still property of the U.S. Navy, UNCW must reapply each year to keep its prized lawn ornament. So far so good though, as it has sat on Hoggard Lawn proudly since it was removed from the ocean and restored some 35 years ago.
So there you have it, the story behind the big, black cannon at the front of campus. No advanced symbolism or thrilling war-story, just an interesting piece of UNCW trivia involving the efforts of a few students and staff.
Thanks so much for investigating this question! I’ve been wondering for years. Cool!
What a cool story! Keep’em coming!