Algerian naval forces make replica of historical canon stolen by The French colonials

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Algerian independence Day, the ministry of defence has made a replica of the famous “ Baba Merzouk” cannon that was confiscated by the French colonial forces upon their invasion of the Algerian soil in 1830 and transferred to the city of Brest where it dwells until now.

• Baba Merzouk counts among one of the oldest canons and most valuable ones, it was made in bronze by a Venetian engineer in the 1542 to celebrate the completion of the fortification walls of the city of Algiers.

• The canon, baptized , “the consular”, was transferred to France as part of the spoils of war in order to be exhibited in the museum for disabled in Paris at the request of the admiral Duperet to, then, the marine minister.

• Colonel Lotfi Badaoui, one of the engineers that contributed to the making of the canon, has declared to Echourouk that the staff has carried out thorough investigation to reach accuracy with the aim to make the exact replica of the original one.

• He has further indicated that the replica has the same range as the original one and measures 7.5 meteres. It took 30 days for its fabrication, he added.