Sebastopol (mortar): Difference between revisions
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'''Sebastopol''' was the name of a large [[artillery]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] commissioned by the [[Ethiopia]]n emperor [[Tewodros II of Ethiopia|Tewodros II]] ( |
'''Sebastopol''' was the name of a large [[artillery]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] commissioned by the [[Ethiopia]]n emperor [[Tewodros II of Ethiopia|Tewodros II]] (1818–1868). The name was taken from the [[Crimean]] town [[Sevastopol]], the site of a battle during the [[Crimean War]]. The mortar weighed approximately 6.7 tons, and was capable of firing off half-ton artillery rounds. |
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[[File:Sebastopol, the original artillery mortar of Emperor Tewodros II.jpg|thumb|Sebastopol, the original mortar of Emperor Tewodros II]] |
[[File:Sebastopol, the original artillery mortar of Emperor Tewodros II.jpg|thumb|Sebastopol, the original mortar of Emperor Tewodros II]] |
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In an attempt to speed up industrialisation, Tewodros had welcomed [[British Empire|British]] and [[Second French Empire|French]] officials and a group of German missionaries into his kingdom. In 1866, following a series of diplomatic misunderstandings and the |
In an attempt to speed up industrialisation, Tewodros had welcomed [[British Empire|British]] and [[Second French Empire|French]] officials and a group of German missionaries into his kingdom. In 1866, following a series of diplomatic misunderstandings and the king's increasingly erratic behaviour, all foreigners were taken prisoner. Tewodros ordered the artisan-missionaries, led by [[Theophilus Waldmeier]], to construct a [[brass]] cannon capable of firing a {{convert|1000|lb|kg}} cannon ball. It took seven months to construct and two furnace were built for the casting. When it was transported to [[Amba Mariam|Magdala]] a special road had to be built. At times 800 men were needed to move it; the 200 mile journey took six months.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/theophiluswaldme00walduoft/page/2/mode/2up Ten Years in Abyssinia and Sixteen Years in Syria being the Autobiography of Theophilus Waldmeier] pp. 93–96</ref> Meanwhile the British government mounted an expedition to free the captives, which resulted in the [[Battle of Magdala]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Clapham|first1=Christopher|title=Ethiopian Development: The Politics of Emulation|journal=Commonwealth & Comparative Politics|date=March 2006|volume=44|issue=1|pages=108–118|url=http://ehrp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Clapham-Politics-of-emulation.pdf|accessdate=15 January 2017|publisher=Routledge}}</ref> |
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[[File:ET Addis asv2018-01 img36 Tewodros Square.jpg|thumb|left|Sebastopol mortar monument. Tewodros Square, [[Addis Ababa]]]] |
[[File:ET Addis asv2018-01 img36 Tewodros Square.jpg|thumb|left|Sebastopol mortar monument. Tewodros Square, [[Addis Ababa]]]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:27, 29 December 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2013) |
 The Sebastopol in the Wollo Province | |
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| 9°1′37.37″N 38°45′6.03″E / 9.0270472°N 38.7516750°E | |
| Location | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Type | Monument |
| Material | Bronze |
| Completion date | 1868 |
Sebastopol was the name of a large artillery mortar commissioned by the Ethiopian emperor Tewodros II (1818–1868). The name was taken from the Crimean town Sevastopol, the site of a battle during the Crimean War. The mortar weighed approximately 6.7 tons, and was capable of firing off half-ton artillery rounds.
In an attempt to speed up industrialisation, Tewodros had welcomed British and French officials and a group of German missionaries into his kingdom. In 1866, following a series of diplomatic misunderstandings and the king's increasingly erratic behaviour, all foreigners were taken prisoner. Tewodros ordered the artisan-missionaries, led by Theophilus Waldmeier, to construct a brass cannon capable of firing a 1,000 pounds (450 kg) cannon ball. It took seven months to construct and two furnace were built for the casting. When it was transported to Magdala a special road had to be built. At times 800 men were needed to move it; the 200 mile journey took six months.[1] Meanwhile the British government mounted an expedition to free the captives, which resulted in the Battle of Magdala.[2]
Although there are no records of the mortar being used in the battle it remains half-buried in the ground, on the plateau at Meqedela,[citation needed] near Amba Mariam. A bronze replica has been cast and displayed in the centre of a roundabout at Tewodros Square, Churchill Avenue, Addis Ababa.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Ten Years in Abyssinia and Sixteen Years in Syria being the Autobiography of Theophilus Waldmeier pp. 93–96
- ^ Clapham, Christopher (March 2006). "Ethiopian Development: The Politics of Emulation" (PDF). Commonwealth & Comparative Politics. 44 (1). Routledge: 108–118. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Ethiopian Tourist Guide website, Landmarks and Monuments in Addis Ababa Archived February 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine