342 Medieval and Modern Ordnance. [July, 
General Lefroy refers to the singularity of these guns 
three or four centuries old taking part in modern engage- 
ments, as in the memorable instance afforded in the passage 
of the Dardanelles by Sir John Duckworth’s squadron, 
on March, 1807.* 
The Dardanelles proper, it must be remembered, is where 
the channel is narrowed to little more than three quarters 
of a mile. On each side of this narrow strait stands a 
castle mounted with these heavy cannon. ‘They are called 
the inner castles of Europe and Asia, or the castles of 
Sestos and Abydos; so it will be noticed that these guns 
could easily fire across the strait as Bishop Pococke, 
writing about 1740 quaintly observes, ‘‘ they fire likewise 
with bail in answer to any ship that salutes the castle, 
as this does much damage where they fall, so the lands 
directly opposite pay no rent. Jamestf in his naval history 
gives the following account :—‘‘ It was at 7 a.m.on the roth 
February, 1807, that Sir John Duckworth’s squadron 
weighed and steered for the entrance of the Dardanelles. 
The British ships then formed themselves in line of battle 
in the following order :—Canopus, Repulse, Royal George, 
Windsor Castle, Standard, having in tow the Meteor, Pompée, 
Thunderer, having in tow the Lucifer, Endymion, Active. 
At 8 a.m. the Canopus arrived abreast of the outer castle, 
both of which opened fire upon her. At 9.30 a.m. the 
leading ship of the British squadron arrived abreast of the 
inner pair of castles which also opened fire within point- 
blank shot; this fire was returned by the ships of the 
squadron in succession as they passed, and doubtless with 
some effect. The damage sustained by the British ships in 
passing the Dardanelles, for that objeét had now been 
attained, was comparatively trifling.” Nota mast or yard 
had been shot away, but only a few spars injured. The 
total—six killed and twenty-one wounded.” Then follows 
the account of the destruction of the Turkish squadron, 
which was burnt and blown up as it lay beyond Abydos, 
whilst Lieutenant Nichols, R.N., with Lieutenant Finmore 
of the Marines, and party, landed and took by assault 
a redoubt, from which the Turks fled at their approach ; 
he then set fire to the gabions and spiked the guns, eight of 
* Baron de Tott relates how he saw one of these pieces loaded with 330 
Ibs. of powder and discharged. He observed the shot break into three pieces at 
600 yards from the gun, and these pieces crossed the Dardanelles, leaving the 
surface in a foam where they struck, and went bounding up the opposite shore. 
+ ‘Naval History of Great Britain, from the Declaration of War by France 
in 1793, to the Accession of George IV.”” By WiLuIAM JAMES. New Edition. 
Bentley, 1860. Vol. iv., p. 209 et seq. 
