Calton Hill #4: The Portuguese Cannon

Cast in brass during the early 15th century, this cannon is decorated with the Royal Arms of Spain on the barrel. It was shipped to the Portuguese Asian colonies around 1780. Somehow it ended up in the possession of the King of Arkan, which was a state on the west coast of Burma. Perhaps it was captured from the Portuguese during battle. Britain, having a long inglorious obsession with interfering in other people's countries, invaded Burma in 1885 and captured the cannon along with several others. For some reason, six of the cannons were presented to the City of Edinburgh which (perhaps for lack of a better idea of what to do with the gift of six fourth-hand cannons) placed them as decoration on Calton Hill. During 1940, five of the cannons were melted down to provide metal for the war effort. Fortunately one was left for posterity. Interestingly the two handles on top of the cannon are shaped like dolphins and might feature in their own blip one day. For Calton Hill #1 click here, for Calton Hill #2 click here and for Calton Hill #3 click here.