A MIGHTY CANNON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1913, Page 4

A MIGHTY CANNON.

Authorities tell us that the Turks) owe their reverses in the recent fighting to their weakness in artillery (says the Westminster Gazette). in 1453 it was hy virtue of their artillery that they captured Constantinople. In 145*2 a Hun garian named Orhan 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 Hahomet IL, who commanded him to caste a gigantic cannon as proof of his talent. Orhan took three months over the task, and the cannon was called (probably as an omen) “Basilican.” The Sultan issued a warning proclamation concerning the day on which it would he tested in drianople, with good reason, for the explosion was heard for thirteen miles around. The size of the cannon was heroic. Fifty yoke of) oxen were necessary to move it, 20()j men marched at the side to support) it, 200 engineers went in front to' level the road, and fifty carpenters to make bridges. Thus the “Basilican” crossed Thrace to Constantinople, and caused conternation among the defenders, not unnaturally, for it threw a granite cannon-ball a yard in diameter nearly a mile. Eight times a day the cannon discharged these missiles, some of which are said to be still visible in ditches near Constantinople. It had caused considerable havoc before it burst and killed, its maker. Another Hungarian, however, recast it, and succeeded in demolishing the famous Baktatinea 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 can inn assisted), the walls which had been considered impregnable for centimes w< re reduced to ruins, and Maho not 11. ordered the assault which mule Cmstantinople Turkish.