The 9 O'clock Gun, Vancouver

The 9 O'clock Gun, an original twelve-pound muzzle-loaded naval cannon forged in 1816, has an intriguing history. Initially designed for naval purposes, it found a new role in 1894 when it was relocated to Stanley Park. Its mission: to sound an alert for fishermen as a signal marking the end of Sunday fishing activities at 6 PM.

In the passage of time, as the need for fishermen's warnings diminished, the cannon transformed into a broader utility. Its resounding boom transitioned into a time signal for the general populace and provided a precise calibration reference for ships' clocks while docked in Vancouver. A curious footnote: before the 9 O'clock Gun's reign, lighthouse keeper William Jones would ignite a stick of dynamite for similar purposes.

Today, the cannon has evolved into a nightly tradition. At 9 PM PST, it faithfully erupts in a controlled explosion. Without fail, black powder is loaded into it each day, and an electric trigger ignites the charge every evening. Its uninterrupted performance has been almost flawless, barring five exceptional instances: during WWII, the gun was commandeered and held as a "ransom" for a donation to the BC Children's Hospital; in 2007, a labor strike silenced it; UBC engineering students once inexplicably adorned it with a coat of red paint; and on May 20th, 2011, it boomed without apparent cause.

Presently, the cannon resides within a secure enclosure crafted from stone and metal, shielding it from theft or tampering. Prominent signs caution pedestrians about its thunderous report, ensuring the safety of those nearby.