Wanted: Someone to fire a cannon for a living

If you’ve ever wanted to fire historic artillery pieces for a living, without having to go to the trouble of joining the army, the Saluting Battery in Valletta currently has just the vacancy for you.

After Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, the NGO that runs the popular tourist attraction, advertised vacancies for both full-time and part-time gunners on social media, Times of Malta visited the battery to find out more about the role, why the tradition of the salute continues to this day, and, most importantly, how to fire a 19th-century cannon.

The site’s history dates to the founding of Valletta itself by the Knights of St John. Built in 1570 as a defensive artillery platform that formed part of the St Peter and Paul Bastion, it had a commanding view of the entire Grand Harbour. 

In later years, the battery took on a civic role in addition to its military function. The firing of a cannon signalled the opening and closing of the city gates, as well as prayer times. The arrival of dignitaries in the harbour was also an occasion to fire the guns in salute.  

During the British period, the guns also played an important nautical role.

At the time, ships relied on chronometers – a kind of precision maritime clock – for navigation. It was therefore vital that these devices were calibrated accurately, and until the introduction of radio in 1923, the cannon shot was a reliable reference point.

After World War II, during which it was refitted with anti-aircraft guns, the battery gradually fell into disuse. It was then restored in 2004 by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, who recreated it as a late 19th-century battery, complete with eight working 32-pounder guns.

Since then, the daily cannon-firing drills at 12pm and 4pm have proved massively popular with tourists, who flock to the Upper Barrakka Gardens to experience a piece of history. 

Mario Farrugia, executive chairperson of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, says that while the job is not a military one, it faithfully recreates the role of a 19th-century gunner.

“We provide all the training – they need to learn the drill of loading and firing the gun, because firing a gun is always dangerous,” he says, adding that gunners wear an authentic uniform that they must take care of.

“Gunners also learn the history of the place and interact with the public.”

Job description

Gunner Stefano Marchesani conducted a special firing for Times of Malta. The process is precise and methodical, following a strict drill.

“The first step is to clean the vent hole, removing any residue from previous firings, before carefully opening the breech and checking that the gun is completely empty,” Marchesani says.

Once the inspection is complete, the cartridge – a 700-gram charge – is inserted into the barrel. The gunner then pushes it firmly into place and closes and locks the breech.

He explains that the cartridge is then pierced several times to allow the ignition charge to reach the gunpowder inside.

The final stage involves preparing the firing mechanism, which includes a spring-loaded trigger and a lanyard – historically part of the gunner’s equipment.

When it is time to fire, the sequence is carefully coordinated with the ceremony. At 12pm we shout ‘Noonday gun fire’, and at 4pm ‘Evening gun fire’,” he says.

The gunner then pulls the lanyard, triggering the mechanism and firing the cannon.

“And that’s how it works,” he says as white smoke drifts into the Grand Harbour.

Deputy site keeper Simon Gustaffson says the day starts by setting up the guns and cleaning them to make sure they’re presentable to the public. 

“We also interact with visitors on the platform, explaining the history of the battery and informing them about activities in Valletta throughout the day,” he says, adding that the role helps to preserve Maltese heritage. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gustaffson’s favourite part of the job is firing the guns. 

“You also meet a lot of people every day. It’s a very unique job where you receive a lot of appreciation, and you go home at the end of the day feeling that you’ve done something worthwhile.