Nine O'Clock Gun Temporarily Silent

August 23 , 2007 (No. 50) - The Vancouver Park Board confirmed today that Stanley Park's iconic Nine O'Clock Gun will not fire for the balance of the civic labour disruption, as special training is required to measure the charges and load the gun.

Ongoing operation of the nightly time signal requires technical training and certification to ensure safety requirements are met for the electronic firing of the historic gun.

The Nine O'Clock Gun, cast in England in 1816, was brought to Vancouver in 1894 and originally used to assist mariners set their ships' chronometers. The 12 pounder, muzzle loaded naval cannon was restored in 1986 as a Canadian Centennial project.

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For more information contact Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699.
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.