Forts and Cannon of Oman.

fernando · 9th August 2016, 05:39 PM

A 'CAMELO' Manuelino (XVI century) in the Military Museum of Lisbon.
The Galleon, a war ship by excelence, was a long ship with a lower draft, therefore more speedy than the nau (carrack) disposing of a fearsome fire power. Galleon São Dinis, for one, a 300 ton built in India during the time of Governor Diogo Lopes de Sequeira (1518-1521) carried 21 camelos under the deck, 12 per board, 2 at the stern, 4 at the poop deck, 2 over the perpau (?), 4 on the deck, plus 9 falcons and 20 berços.

.

Rick · 9th August 2016, 09:34 PM

It's amazing the artwork lavished on these guns!
Here's an interesting cascabel from a probably 17-18th century great gun.

fernando · 9th August 2016, 11:11 PM

Amazing indeed. These are all in the Military Museum in Lisbon. I like the one with the boyfriends.

.

fernando · 9th August 2016, 11:18 PM

more ...

.

fernando · 9th August 2016, 11:22 PM

Last ...

.

Jim McDougall · 10th August 2016, 12:26 AM

Thank you so much Fernando and Rick!
Indeed outstanding artwork and profoundly representing the huge value and importance of guns to all powers and cultures. We deeply admire these everlasting remains of history which remain in situ in so many places as sentinels of that very history and the events that unfolded there.

While the fortresses and various installations often remain in various degree archeologically, the cannon seem to survive as well in the same manner but despite their considerable weight, often moved to new locations.

The artwork on these guns can often tell us about the nations or cultures who forged them, and markings typically deeply marked in them give us much detail on their history. There are various keys to coded entries which recorded weights, foundries and dates .

The fortresses often reflect key information structurally which tell us about strategy, tactics and warfare as employed using these massive structures.

It seems that the Portuguese fortresses and guns of course have often remained in such a network of locations that the importance of their foundation in global exploration stands as legion in history. While this topic began with the forts in Oman, this was one strong foothold in that vast network, and it is great to be able to review others to connect these together .

Looking at the cannon themselves, what is fascinating is their very venerability. These were in use for remarkable periods, and often ended up in other contexts far from their origins.

The outstanding material which Ibrahiim and Fernando have entered here, though heavy in text, is essential to our better understanding of this field, and great to have here as part of our corpus of data as reference.
Thank you guys for taking the time to add it.

I recall a few years ago in St. Augustine Florida when we were visiting the old Spanish fortifications there overlooking the inlet. They had a display of firing the huge guns there.........incredibly impressive!!!!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th August 2016, 01:33 AM

Magnificent pictures ! I recall sitting on a mound in the middle of a not yet restored Fort a few decades back...and after brushing off some dust discovered what it was that I had been sitting upon... A huge Portuguese Bronze Cannon with the name plate of Albuquerque the famous Portuguese General !
~ Getting back to the Diu battle I was amazed to discover the peculiar origins of the protagonists and the strategy employed by each. It is apparent that the Portuguese tactics and equipment were far superior to the opponents but equally difficult to see how later they would be on the losing side in Bahrain, Muscat, Zanzibar, the Zanj (Fort Jesus)...and why? Their defeat on the coast of Arabia and Africa had nothing to do with tactics as it was the effects of fever; Cholera and Malaria which signaled their collapse.

Due to its strategic importance, there was a Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, the Republic of Ragusa (now known as Dubrovnik) and the Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada. In 1513, the Portuguese tried to establish an outpost there, but negotiations were unsuccessful. There were failed attempts by Diogo Lopes de Sequeira in 1521, Nuno da Cunha in 1523. In 1531 the conquest attempted by D. Nuno da Cunha was also not successful.

For the remaining saga please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Diu_%281509%29

On the subject of Albuquerque upon whose cannon I had sat ! ~ Quote''He had brilliantly understood a number of factors: Albuquerque saw that there were three key emporia in the Indian Ocean: Malacca, Aden and Hormuz, each on a narrow strait controlling access to a major trade route. Malacca was the gateway to the Bay of Bengal, the Spice Islands (the Moluccas) and China. Aden was the gateway to Egypt, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Hormuz controlled access to the Gulf and the overland trade to Iran, Central Asia and the Middle Eastern heartlands."Unquote.

Please see http://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue...portuguese.htm

9th August 2016, 05:39 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A 'CAMELO' Manuelino (XVI century) in the Military Museum of Lisbon. The Galleon, a war ship by excelence, was a long ship with a lower draft, therefore more speedy than the nau (carrack) disposing of a fearsome fire power. Galleon São Dinis, for one, a 300 ton built in India during the time of Governor Diogo Lopes de Sequeira (1518-1521) carried 21 camelos under the deck, 12 per board, 2 at the stern, 4 at the poop deck, 2 over the perpau (?), 4 on the deck, plus 9 falcons and 20 berços. . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 9th August 2016 at 06:03 PM.

9th August 2016, 09:34 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	It's amazing the artwork lavished on these guns! Here's an interesting cascabel from a probably 17-18th century great gun. Attached Images

9th August 2016, 11:11 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Amazing indeed. These are all in the Military Museum in Lisbon. I like the one with the boyfriends. . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 9th August 2016 at 11:27 PM.

9th August 2016, 11:18 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	more ... . Attached Images

9th August 2016, 11:22 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Last ... . Attached Images

10th August 2016, 12:26 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	Thank you so much Fernando and Rick! Indeed outstanding artwork and profoundly representing the huge value and importance of guns to all powers and cultures. We deeply admire these everlasting remains of history which remain in situ in so many places as sentinels of that very history and the events that unfolded there. While the fortresses and various installations often remain in various degree archeologically, the cannon seem to survive as well in the same manner but despite their considerable weight, often moved to new locations. The artwork on these guns can often tell us about the nations or cultures who forged them, and markings typically deeply marked in them give us much detail on their history. There are various keys to coded entries which recorded weights, foundries and dates . The fortresses often reflect key information structurally which tell us about strategy, tactics and warfare as employed using these massive structures. It seems that the Portuguese fortresses and guns of course have often remained in such a network of locations that the importance of their foundation in global exploration stands as legion in history. While this topic began with the forts in Oman, this was one strong foothold in that vast network, and it is great to be able to review others to connect these together . Looking at the cannon themselves, what is fascinating is their very venerability. These were in use for remarkable periods, and often ended up in other contexts far from their origins. The outstanding material which Ibrahiim and Fernando have entered here, though heavy in text, is essential to our better understanding of this field, and great to have here as part of our corpus of data as reference. Thank you guys for taking the time to add it. I recall a few years ago in St. Augustine Florida when we were visiting the old Spanish fortifications there overlooking the inlet. They had a display of firing the huge guns there.........incredibly impressive!!!!

10th August 2016, 01:33 AM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Magnificent pictures ! I recall sitting on a mound in the middle of a not yet restored Fort a few decades back...and after brushing off some dust discovered what it was that I had been sitting upon... A huge Portuguese Bronze Cannon with the name plate of Albuquerque the famous Portuguese General ! ~ Getting back to the Diu battle I was amazed to discover the peculiar origins of the protagonists and the strategy employed by each. It is apparent that the Portuguese tactics and equipment were far superior to the opponents but equally difficult to see how later they would be on the losing side in Bahrain, Muscat, Zanzibar, the Zanj (Fort Jesus)...and why? Their defeat on the coast of Arabia and Africa had nothing to do with tactics as it was the effects of fever; Cholera and Malaria which signaled their collapse. Due to its strategic importance, there was a Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, the Republic of Ragusa (now known as Dubrovnik) and the Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada. In 1513, the Portuguese tried to establish an outpost there, but negotiations were unsuccessful. There were failed attempts by Diogo Lopes de Sequeira in 1521, Nuno da Cunha in 1523. In 1531 the conquest attempted by D. Nuno da Cunha was also not successful. For the remaining saga please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Diu_%281509%29 On the subject of Albuquerque upon whose cannon I had sat ! ~ Quote''He had brilliantly understood a number of factors: Albuquerque saw that there were three key emporia in the Indian Ocean: Malacca, Aden and Hormuz, each on a narrow strait controlling access to a major trade route. Malacca was the gateway to the Bay of Bengal, the Spice Islands (the Moluccas) and China. Aden was the gateway to Egypt, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Hormuz controlled access to the Gulf and the overland trade to Iran, Central Asia and the Middle Eastern heartlands."Unquote. Please see http://archive.aramcoworld.com/issue...portuguese.htm Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 10th August 2016 at 01:53 AM.