TURKISH ARTILLERY IN 1453

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8363, 25 February 1913, Page 4

TURKISH ARTILLERY IN 1453

Authorities tell ns, says the “Westminster Gazette," that the Turks owe their reverses in the recent fighting to their weakness in artillery. In 1453 it was by virtue of their artillery that they captured Constantinople. In 1462 a Hungarian named Urban came to Constantinople and offered his services to the Greek Emperor as the “ablest founder in history." Constantine offered him unsatisfactory conditions, and he escaped to Mahomet 11., who commanded him to cast a gigantic cannon as proof of his talent. Or.ban took three months over the task, and the cannon was called (probably as an omen) “Bassiiican.” The Sultan issued a warning proclamation concerning the day on which it would be tested in Adrianople, with good reason, for the explosion was heard for thirteen miles around. The size of the cannon was heroin. Fifty yoke of oxen were necessary to move it, 200 men marched at the side to support it, 200 engineers went in front to level the road, and’ fifty carponterp to make bridges. _ Thus the “Basilican” crossed Thrace to Constantinople, and caused consternation among 'the defenders, not unnaturally, for it threw a granite can-non-ball a yard in diameter nearly _ a mile. Eight times a day the cannon dis- ■ charged these missiles, some of which are said to 'be still visible, in ditches near Constantinople. It had caused considerable havoc before it burst ana killed its maker. Another Hungarian, however, recast it, and succeeded in doniolishing the/ famous Bakxatinea Tower. The Greek defender spent anxious nights in the effort to repair the breach with beams and sacks of wool; but after fifty-four days of continuous bombardment (in which 200 minor cannon assisted), the walls which had been considered impregnable for centuries were reduced to ruins, and Mahomet 11. ordered the assault whicn made Constantinople Turkish.