Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-08-12
.zSFs = @&H
E.oronnma- Cannon,

Enormous Conh0h'
One, 0rban, an Hungarian metal founder: 9asing
-nassed over IRON the EmPerors intD the eoi.Ans
rrssv;ca received so many gifts and such . liberal
apuointment from his new master, that mao ne oeen
offered but q fourth part as much BY the ule e
ministry, he would never have dreamed OF qul,s.ns
the imperial city. MOhammed inquired Oh hin'
whether he would cast cannon capable on cruhl-
bling the walls of Cons'antinople. IS IN ~
power, replied the Hungarian, :" to cast cannS y.
of any caifbre that Is desired and grind the TaiS
of Constantnople and Babylon into powder EnI
answer for my science extending thus far ods
cannot pronounce 70 what extent me 'snot nh,
range The Sultan gave him directions TO Proceeu
With the casting, but net to trouble himself aeoat-
the range Of the shot which should be suesequensy
determined SO = : -
As a specimen Of his skin, orBan cast q cannon
for the great tower on the Bosphorean Channel anG
a trial Of its range was made upon the hrst VesseI
which sailed past without hauling in her sails, a
Venetian ship, commanded by one Riei, was maae
use of as q target and andea satisfactory evidence
Of the perfectriess of the casting, as wen Is tne
range Of the shot TWAS struck, severed asandef,
aad sunk The captain and thirty of bis crew
ESCAPED the dangers OF the turbulent current in
boat but on reaching the shore fell into the hands
OF the Turkish garrison. They were loaded with
letters and brought before the Sultan at DIdymo
tichen by bis orders the sailors were beheaded the
captain impaled, and their dead bodies exposed to
witnessed by DucSs the historian, who was . resi-
dent at Didymotichon at that period.
MehEmmed was SO perfectly satisasd with the
founders skill and the result OF the trial. that be
directed the construction Of prodgions hattering
piece twice as large the first IN act the largest
which is feeordedin the annals Of the "tormentorum
belicoruinY II vomited stone balls twelve spans
in circumference and twelve hundred pounds in
weight; was moved with great difficulty by fifty
pair of oxen, and was committed to the manpula-
ton of seven hundred men .... =
When the casting was completed, the piece was
transported to the gate Of the palace Dechthannuma
(fo- the spectacle of the world) lofty pile which
had Just been finished at Adrianople; and on this
spot it was for the first Time loaded with infinite
trouble.
Notice was then given to the inhabitants that it
would be discharged the next morning. It was
feared that without such awarding, the terror oc-
casioned by its report might have been attended
with the most disastrous consequences. Tue morn
ing dawned the piece was fired of, en- immense
cloud Of smoke enveloped the whole city, its thun.
ders were heard for several hours in the distance,
and the shot buried itself fathom deepin the ground
at distance of mile from the spot whence it vas
discharged. Blythe trepidatioD which II spread
far and wide, this enormous masterpiece Of Pyro-
techny at least bespoke the gigantic schemes OF con-
quest on which the grasping mind Of its owner was
intent
This cannon, together with two smaller pieces,
which discharged ballse $50 pounds weight. MS
subsequently, employed at the siege Of oonsten:i
nUPle 6bere it Nas Stationed opposite ihss Fafe Of
St Roman's, which was afterwai d deDomihAted the
"Cannongate," name It has retained to the pres
ent day. It consumed two hours in loading, and
on the first day, was discharged seven times the
eight firing was on the second day, when it gave
the signal OF attack. Though it afterwards bnFsted
and destroyed its founder, it speedily repaired
and continued to be used seven times day, bu
without producing the effects which had been antic
ipated. from it-VOn Hammers History Of The
Turks.