Page 112 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

80 C. Wu

Tiangong Kaiwu (Technology of Creation of the World, !!$(!" pub-
)
lished in 10th year of Congzhen (%%) reign (1637) of Ming Dynasty recorded:
The Western Ocean cannons were made of bronze with round shape like bronze drums. The
shooting explosion of the cannon might kill the horse and people in a distance of 500
meters. The red barbarian (%$, European) cannons are made of casted iron with 3.3
meters long which can be used for castle defending. The other cannons called !rst General
and second General are small than the red barbarian cannons. The Ferangi cannons was
specially equipped in the bow of worship. (Song 1978, pp. 400)
The Guangdong provincial supervising of!cial Yingxiang Gu (#*&) descri-
bed the shape of Ferangi cannon after he had contacted the Portuguese fleet in 12th
year of Zhengde (!%) period (1517) when Portuguese intruded Pearl River Delta.
The story was recorded in Vol. 13th Weapon of Chouhai Tubian (Illustration of
)
Strategy of Maritime Affair, !""#"" of 41th year of Jiajing (!#) reign
(1562) of Ming Dynasty:
Their iron cannon was made of two meters long with long tube and large breech on which a
loading cavity with a long open hole was prepared for shell. There were !ve shells taking
turns for each cannon. The cannon tube was wrapped and strengthened by wood. Both sides
of the ship were equipped with four or !ve cannons to defend. These cannons would !re to
the approaching warships and destroy them deadly. The Ferangi fleet was the strongest
worship in the world because of this !rearm. (Deng 2007, pp. 903) (Fig. 4.7)

Fig. 4.7 Chart of Farangi cannon recorded in Chouhai Tubian. Cited from Deng (2007, pp. 903)