Authorities in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province have confiscated a pair of cannons salvaged from the waters that were sold for scrap metal.

Cannons salvaged from Ninh Thuan Province, 20130326

Two ancient cannons sold as scrap
Vietnam Net, 26 March 2013

On March 25, the authorities of Phan Rang city of the central province of Ninh Thuan seized two ancient cannons at a private scrap trading enterprise in Dong Hai Ward, Phan Rang. The cannons weigh about 700kg each.

Mr. Pham Dang Hoa, the owner of the scrap trading enterprise, says he bought the cannons from a local man, at the price of VND15 million ($700), based on the price of scrap. The two cannons were fished out from the waters of Ninh Thuan.

The two cannons look exactly the same. They are 2.15 m long, with the gun barrels of 28-37cm in diameter.

Ms. Le Thi Tuyet Anh, Director of the Museum of Ninh Thuan Province, says by the naked eye one can determine that these are cannons. The barrels have number signs, but due to rust they are very difficult to read.

Full story here.