Don’t worry if cannon fire caused you to spill your single-origin roast this morning – we weren’t being invaded by Zim, as some theorised on Twitter…

The Royal Navy’s HMS Iron Duke, which has been undergoing repairs for a year in Old Blighty’s dry docks, left England on 20 June on an Atlantic patrol mission. It sailed past Robben Island at around 7:30 am, performed its 21-gun salute and was answered by the Noon Gun on Signal Hill, operated by the South African Navy’s Chief Petty Officer Dudley Malgas.

The HMS Iron Duke – the third of its name – carries 185 personnel, travels at a top speed of 28 knots and has a weapons range of 7 800 nautical miles. It will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Photography Royal Navy

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6 Comments
  • Janine Monique Theron
    Janine Monique Theron
    August 20, 2014 at 7:37 am

    A-ha! Was wondering what that was! Thanks #capetownetc

  • Hippo Boutique Hotel
    Hippo Boutique Hotel
    August 20, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Just heard it few minutes ago!

  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    August 20, 2014 at 8:03 am

    And there go the guns! CapeTownEtc: Did you hear the Noon Gun fire at various times on Monday? Here’s why: http://bit.ly/1oPUoqw #News

  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    August 20, 2014 at 8:05 am

    And there go the guns! Wondering what it’s all about? Find out more here –> http://bit.ly/1oPUoqw #News

  • Jordan Leschinsky
    Jordan Leschinsky
    August 20, 2014 at 10:17 am

    Thank you! I wondered what those were for…

  • Doris Geyser Frankenberg
    Doris Geyser Frankenberg
    August 20, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    Heard, scarry for this country.

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