Was rereading Robert Marx's book "The Underwater Dig" and, in the section where he talks about types of ballast in the old ships, he says they sometimes used old cannon. He then goes on to say:
"An instance of this is found of the eastern end of Bon Aire Island [sic] in the Caribbean. Diving there some years ago I found over two hundred cannon in a relatively small area. I was astonished and puzzled, especially since they ranged over a period of two hundred and fifty years. A local historian solved the mystery, explaining that ships coming from Holland anchored there to take on cargoes of salt from the island. The cannon, used as ballast, were jettisoned when the heavy cargoes of salt were loaded."

Since he says the site was on the East side, maybe no one goes there diving. But it sounds like an interesting dive. Has anyone on the list been to the site, or know any details about it?

Sounds suspect to me. No ships were anchored on he East Side with the exception of lac bay. I also wonder who the local "historian" was. I have my suspicions. I would be interested in a follow up on these cannons.

I know of a group of 7 cannon very close together, alomost piled up. And one or two others in different places. They are on the east coast. But 200 sounds a bit much. Wonder what the 'relatively small area' means!?

His book was published in 1975. So "years ago" probably means he was diving there in the mid '60s (before any concerted conservation movement was started). Some or all may have been salvaged for scrap or curiosities in the intervening period. Seven cannon together "almost piled up" sounds like the ballast dumping scenario he describes. But at that rate there would have to be over 20 piles in the "relatively small area".

Back in late 1999, someone mentioned the cannons to me. I passed along the question to Bruce Bowker. Here is his reply:

"Linda - thanks for your email. There are many canon and anchor sites on the
east side. Many ships, after canons were no longer used for war, were
removed from those ships and used as ballast in any kind of sailing ship
large or small. Or the war ship was converted and canon simply dropped in
the bilge for ballast.


These ships could have been local freight, fishing or any number of uses and
not at all famous or valuable in any way. Therefore when they went aground
on the east side and sank, probably no records were kept. Because they were
wood and on the windward side the ships were broken up completely and
quickly.


I have passed over all of the canon and anchor sites. There is basically
nothing to find. The bottom is shallow sand and/or hard rock. On a rare
occasion those who dive the east side religiously have found a scrap of
metal but nothing worth spending hours searching the area. These ships
probably sank 80 to 100 years or more ago and nothing but nothing is left.
Also if they were fishing boats, salt ships or local freight nothing would
be on them."