They Built a Cannon Out of Five Nations' Junk to Survive a 55-Day Siege

[!NOTE] Historical File: They Built a Cannon Out of Five Nations’ Junk to Survive a 55-Day Siege Location: China | Era: Archival History | Format: Documentary & Narrative Record

The Untold Story

Trapped behind burning barricades, desperate defenders built a cannon out of five different nations’ scraps.

Besieged by thousands of imperial troops in Peking, four hundred guards and thousands of civilians lacked heavy artillery.

Then, Chinese refugees dug up an old, rusted British cannon barrel buried in a junk shop.

An American gunner mounted it onto an Italian carriage, loading Russian shells primed with German powder.

Nicknamed Old Betsy, this improvised gun fired continuously down the alleys, shattering enemy barricade after barricade.

For fifty-five days, the scrap cannon held the line until relief forces arrived. Follow along for more forgotten history.

Historical Discussion

💭 Assembled from a British barrel, Italian carriage, Russian shells, and German powder, ‘Old Betsy’ now rests in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. What do you think of this incredible feat of battlefield improvisation?

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