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The Ras Cannons were the first cannons built in South Africa. The two cannons were constructed during the First Boer War on a farm Bokfontein in Brits district. They were built during a two-week period by Marthinus Nikolaas Ras, who is considered the father of South African Artillery, and his cousin, Eduard Dawid Ras who was a talented blacksmith. In December 1880, Ras requested and obtained permission from General Piet Cronjé to return home to his farm Bokfontein, near Brits, to build a cannon for the Boer forces. =="Martienie" Cannon== Marthinus Nikolaas Ras bought a number of iron shod wagon wheels from a dealer in Rustenburg, which were melted down and from which the cannons were cast.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=SA Military History Society )〕 The first cannon, an 3 inch caliber named "Martienie" after Marthinus Ras, fired a 7 pound lead ball from a 4½ feet barrel. The breach plug of the cannon was damaged during the first test firing of the cannon, which necessitated some adjustments from the manufacturer. The damaged cannon breach was replaced by a reinforced breach (see picture) and the cannon was then mounted on a small wagon axle and wheels.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=SA Military History Society )〕 The "Martienie" cannon was moved to the front and deployed by Commandant Eloff against the British garrison at Rustenburg. It was first fired from 2000 feet, then later form 800 and 600 feet. Between the 8 and 9 January 1881 it was used to fire 93 shots on the British fort, which led to the subsequent surrender of the fort. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ras cannons」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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