Forging Metals
Iron was separated into two different types at this time, bar (wrought) iron and pig (cast iron). Cast iron, or pig, was produced in a blast furnace at 2000 degrees to free the iron from the oxygen and other minerals in the ore. It was common that the furnace was fired for days with cooling. The liquid iron was drawn off from the bottom of the furnace at intervals and flowed into channels made of sand moulds. The iron was mostly cast into small ingots calls "pigs" and larger ones called "sows". Furnaces could also cast cannon balls, cannon, and Dutch ovens by ladling iron into the sand moulds. The liquid iron was in direct contact with the charcoal which caused a high carbon content. Wrought iron, or bar iron, was made two different ways with several variations of each. It can be made directly from iron ore, heating it in a small furnace, called a bloomer, but not completely melting it. The spongy mass, a bloom, is extracted and forged in a process similar to kneading dough until most of the impurities are removed. Because it is never liquid, the iron doesn't absorb much carbon and the residual carbon was burned away from repeated welding. Wrought iron can also be made from cast iron by remelting the pigs on a shallow sand lined bowl by a blast of flame. The molten iron is stirred and the flames burn away the carbon as it's exposed on the surface which raises the melting temperature until the mass is no longer liquid. The bloom is then forged into bars with water powered trip hammers. The more the bar is folded and welded back on itself the more highly refined the iron becomes. The grain of the iron becomes finer as the silica inclusions become smaller. Wagon wheels and anchors were made of lower quality iron but gun barrels and lock parts as well as mounts were made of high quality wrought iron. More refinement under the hammer creates a higher quality and finer grain of metal. Wrought iron could be surface hardened or case hardened by heating it for a short time in the presence of carbon. Many objectd were forged, filed, polished in soft iron, and then case hardened for wear resistance such as lock parts for flintlocks and various springs. Case hardening can penetrate deep enough to convert this cross sections completely to high carbon steel depending on the temperature and amount of time the iron is in the carbon pack.
Steel, when well tempered and refined, can become very hard, more so than iron. Refined wrought iron was layered in coal and tightly sealed before being heated to 1500 degrees and kept hot for several hours. The carbon soaks into the iron and creates blister steel, named by the blistered blue-grey scale that forms on the surface. The carbon is uniformly distributed throughout the metal due to the long soak. These strips of blistered steel could be further refined by bundling them together and forge welding them into a mass before drawing it back out into a strip. This could be repeated multiple times and was used to create the best cutlery, razors, and springs for clocks and watches. This steel was more uniformed and called shear steel. Blistered steel could also be melted in a crucible and stirred while liquid to cause a uniform distribution of the carbon. Steel made this way was called cast steel and it was not the only metal made through the crucible process. Because steel was so tedious to create, many bladed tools and weapons were mostly made of wrought iron with steel forged along the edge to create the sharp cutting edge.
Steel, when well tempered and refined, can become very hard, more so than iron. Refined wrought iron was layered in coal and tightly sealed before being heated to 1500 degrees and kept hot for several hours. The carbon soaks into the iron and creates blister steel, named by the blistered blue-grey scale that forms on the surface. The carbon is uniformly distributed throughout the metal due to the long soak. These strips of blistered steel could be further refined by bundling them together and forge welding them into a mass before drawing it back out into a strip. This could be repeated multiple times and was used to create the best cutlery, razors, and springs for clocks and watches. This steel was more uniformed and called shear steel. Blistered steel could also be melted in a crucible and stirred while liquid to cause a uniform distribution of the carbon. Steel made this way was called cast steel and it was not the only metal made through the crucible process. Because steel was so tedious to create, many bladed tools and weapons were mostly made of wrought iron with steel forged along the edge to create the sharp cutting edge.
Firearms
Flintlock pistols were common self-defense weapons and military arms. Loaded from the muzzles and effective at short range, these pistols were almost always smoothbore - meaning the inside barrel held no grooves like modern pistols. Many sizes and styles of these weapons have been created and the classification of each one is not well defined. The smallest flintlocks were just under 6 in. and the largest were over 20 in. in length, meaning just the barrel. Smaller pistols were used by both men and women, they were small enough to fit into coat pockets or purses. Some pistols came equipped with a hook that was designed to slip over a belt, so a holster wasn't needed. One of the most elegant pistols designed was the Queen Anne pistol and came in several sizes. One highly reliable, water resistant, and accurate pistol was the British dueling pistol, a high point of the flintlock's mechanical development. These pistols weren't very elegant with decoration but held a great amount of craftsmanship inside and out. Barrels were usually over 10 in. in length and always sold in pairs along with accessories in a wooden case.
Milti-barrel pistols were created but were less reliable and considered dangerous. Flintlocks with two, three, or more barrels were costly to make and costly to continue using. Some fired all shots at once and others one at a time - though sometimes it did explode in the user's hand. Generally, it was safer and more cost-effective to use a single-fire flintlock.
The blunderbuss is a muzzle-loading firearm of large .69 caliber with a flared muzzle and short range. It's essentially the early form of a shotgun that is used defensively by military personnel, especially Dragoons. The flared muzzle made it easier to funnel powder into the barrel and was easier to reload on horseback. The barrels were short, usually under two feet and often used by officers, privateers, and pirates in boarding actions. Due to its unique barrel, different types of ammunition could be used such as gravel, sand, or a cluster of musket balls.
Muskets were very popular with military personnel, particularly infantry, and often had a short blade equipped at the end of the muzzle called a bayonet. These firearms were muzzle-loading, smoothbore weapons with barrels about three feet long and an accurate range of about 100 yards. Musket calibers ranged from 13mm to 18mm (under an inch) so that the ball wouldn't be obstructed by the accumulation of powder that builds up in the barrel during battle. This small shot would rattle around in the barrel as it was fired, decreasing accuracy for the sake of shortening reloading time. An experienced soldier could fire four shots per minutes.
Rifles were essentially muskets with rifling inside the barrel which is spiraling grooves that allow a more accurate shot with longer effective range. They took more time to load because the shot used was tight fitting into the barrel so they weren't often used by infantrymen. They were used by military sharpshooters, support units, or hunters.
That does not mean that single-flintlocks were free of problems. Misfires were common, as were accidental firings. The flint had to be properly maintained to create the necessary spark needed to fire the weapon. In rain or damp weather, the weapon could not be fired because of a wet frizzen or damp powder. Burning embers left in the barrel could ignite the next powder as it was loaded, waiting between reloads for leftover residue to completely burn could prevent accidental firing. Experienced soldiers (or pirates) could fire three or four rounds per minute. When firing, the pistol sprayed sparks forward from the muzzle and sideways from the flash-hole. Because of this, men needed to be certain they didn't light their fellow's powder as he reloaded; this is why firing in volleys was popular. The powder itself was dangerous, which is why any equipment made to load a pistol is from brass, which doesn't spark; some soldiers carried paper cartridges because they were safer and sped up the loading process. Any air left between the shot and powder could cause the barrel to explode when fired. Since sulfur was used in black powder, cleaning the weapon was important. The powder residue absorbed moisture from the air and created sulfuric acid, which would erode the inside of the gun and its lock mechanism.
Flintlocks, compared to the guns of today, were very inaccurate, even more so with shorter barrels. The main reason was due to the smoothebore barrel and the fact that the shots were smaller than the barrel causing a space between it and the barrel. When fired, rather than zipping straight out of the barrel the shot would ricochet off the walls of the barrel until it reached the muzzle, making its flight path rather unpredictable. Flintlock rifles, on the other hand had groves inside of the barrel called rifling which was a step in the right direction of accuracy but the same round shot was being used so they were still inaccurate to a degree. Flintlock weapons were generally made from two types of metals: the barrel and triggerguard were made of brass to prevent sparks, for the safety of the wielder, with an iron trigger and lock. Though, some barrels were made of steel. The ramrods are made of brass and frizzens of steel to create the spark. The outside of the barrel and the wood was decorated with various rare metals such as gold or silver for certain flintlocks.
No, you will not be forced to roll dice or flip coins to see if your pistols or muskets misfires or explodes. The multi-barrel will be limited
because they are more dangerous and a roll might be required.
(Below is a gallery of some pistols and a diagram as well. Credit to the respective photographers.)
Milti-barrel pistols were created but were less reliable and considered dangerous. Flintlocks with two, three, or more barrels were costly to make and costly to continue using. Some fired all shots at once and others one at a time - though sometimes it did explode in the user's hand. Generally, it was safer and more cost-effective to use a single-fire flintlock.
The blunderbuss is a muzzle-loading firearm of large .69 caliber with a flared muzzle and short range. It's essentially the early form of a shotgun that is used defensively by military personnel, especially Dragoons. The flared muzzle made it easier to funnel powder into the barrel and was easier to reload on horseback. The barrels were short, usually under two feet and often used by officers, privateers, and pirates in boarding actions. Due to its unique barrel, different types of ammunition could be used such as gravel, sand, or a cluster of musket balls.
Muskets were very popular with military personnel, particularly infantry, and often had a short blade equipped at the end of the muzzle called a bayonet. These firearms were muzzle-loading, smoothbore weapons with barrels about three feet long and an accurate range of about 100 yards. Musket calibers ranged from 13mm to 18mm (under an inch) so that the ball wouldn't be obstructed by the accumulation of powder that builds up in the barrel during battle. This small shot would rattle around in the barrel as it was fired, decreasing accuracy for the sake of shortening reloading time. An experienced soldier could fire four shots per minutes.
Rifles were essentially muskets with rifling inside the barrel which is spiraling grooves that allow a more accurate shot with longer effective range. They took more time to load because the shot used was tight fitting into the barrel so they weren't often used by infantrymen. They were used by military sharpshooters, support units, or hunters.
That does not mean that single-flintlocks were free of problems. Misfires were common, as were accidental firings. The flint had to be properly maintained to create the necessary spark needed to fire the weapon. In rain or damp weather, the weapon could not be fired because of a wet frizzen or damp powder. Burning embers left in the barrel could ignite the next powder as it was loaded, waiting between reloads for leftover residue to completely burn could prevent accidental firing. Experienced soldiers (or pirates) could fire three or four rounds per minute. When firing, the pistol sprayed sparks forward from the muzzle and sideways from the flash-hole. Because of this, men needed to be certain they didn't light their fellow's powder as he reloaded; this is why firing in volleys was popular. The powder itself was dangerous, which is why any equipment made to load a pistol is from brass, which doesn't spark; some soldiers carried paper cartridges because they were safer and sped up the loading process. Any air left between the shot and powder could cause the barrel to explode when fired. Since sulfur was used in black powder, cleaning the weapon was important. The powder residue absorbed moisture from the air and created sulfuric acid, which would erode the inside of the gun and its lock mechanism.
Flintlocks, compared to the guns of today, were very inaccurate, even more so with shorter barrels. The main reason was due to the smoothebore barrel and the fact that the shots were smaller than the barrel causing a space between it and the barrel. When fired, rather than zipping straight out of the barrel the shot would ricochet off the walls of the barrel until it reached the muzzle, making its flight path rather unpredictable. Flintlock rifles, on the other hand had groves inside of the barrel called rifling which was a step in the right direction of accuracy but the same round shot was being used so they were still inaccurate to a degree. Flintlock weapons were generally made from two types of metals: the barrel and triggerguard were made of brass to prevent sparks, for the safety of the wielder, with an iron trigger and lock. Though, some barrels were made of steel. The ramrods are made of brass and frizzens of steel to create the spark. The outside of the barrel and the wood was decorated with various rare metals such as gold or silver for certain flintlocks.
No, you will not be forced to roll dice or flip coins to see if your pistols or muskets misfires or explodes. The multi-barrel will be limited
because they are more dangerous and a roll might be required.
(Below is a gallery of some pistols and a diagram as well. Credit to the respective photographers.)
Swords
As we all know, the popularly used sword of these times was the cutlass. It was short with a wide blade, sometimes straight or slightly curved with a cupped or basket shaped guard. Short enough to be used in close quarters (boarding, rigging, or below decks) and could cut through heavy ropes, canvas, and certain woods. The cutlass required less training than a rapier or small sword but was more effective in combat than a full-sized sword. So, it was a fairly good weapon of choice for a pirate. Some soldiers did carry short, broad backswords (or hanger) which looked similar to the cutlass.
Mostly used by military personnel, the small sword was a one-handed sword for thrusting, evolving from the rapier. Typically with a triangular cross-section, the blade tapers to a small point and sometimes lacks a cutting edge. The entire length of the blade was between 24 and 33 in. They were also a status symbol and fashion accessory to those considered gentlemanly.
Used for both civilian and military combat, a rapier is a single-handed, slender, and sharply pointed sword ideal for thrusting. They often had a complex hilt with sweeping designs that protected the hand when wielding. Generally, they were used with smaller weapons that assisted with defense. Created nearly two hundred years ago, there are several types of rapiers around from different countries.
All of these weapons may be used in the RP as well as other period appropriate weapons. These are simply common swords.
(Below is a gallery of the mentioned weapons. Credit to the respective photographers.)
Mostly used by military personnel, the small sword was a one-handed sword for thrusting, evolving from the rapier. Typically with a triangular cross-section, the blade tapers to a small point and sometimes lacks a cutting edge. The entire length of the blade was between 24 and 33 in. They were also a status symbol and fashion accessory to those considered gentlemanly.
Used for both civilian and military combat, a rapier is a single-handed, slender, and sharply pointed sword ideal for thrusting. They often had a complex hilt with sweeping designs that protected the hand when wielding. Generally, they were used with smaller weapons that assisted with defense. Created nearly two hundred years ago, there are several types of rapiers around from different countries.
All of these weapons may be used in the RP as well as other period appropriate weapons. These are simply common swords.
(Below is a gallery of the mentioned weapons. Credit to the respective photographers.)
Small Arm Weapons
Along with flintlocks and swords there were other small arm weapons used during this time used by both pirates and navies as well as merchants and privateers. Generally anything heavy enough or sharp enough can and was used as a weapon in these days but only common ones will be listed. Pictures will be used to represent the weapon with a name and description in the caption.
(Credit to the respective photographers.)
(Credit to the respective photographers.)
Cannons
Large artillery weapon that uses explosive-based propellants to launch projectiles. Cannons vary in caliber, range, mobility, firepower, angle, and rate of fire. Numerous types of cannons were invented for various purposes and were used on land and at sea. Like pistols, cannons were muzzle-loaders and carried the danger of misfire. The cannons themselves weighed over a tonne and, though they were tied down to the decks, to keep from moving when not in use. In the span of five minutes all cannons on one side could fire 2-3 times depending on the training of the crew; the Royal Navy was known for having great gun crews that could reload the guns in 90 seconds. Gun crews consisted of 6 to 15 men per cannon depending on its poundage. The Gunner was in charge of aiming and firing while his mates assisted with heaving the cannon back and reloading it. Each man was given a specific job: using the long spike to turn and raise the barrel, sponging the breech for remaining embers, reloading the powder, ramming the shot down the breech tightly, move the gun back into place out the gun port, and then fire. Each gun crew had a powder monkey to fetch more barrels from the hold.
During this time it was unlikely that nations use the exact same types of cannons. Though the British, French, and Spanish used culverins, they used different types. Cannons were rated by their pound rating, the weight of a single round shot fired from the cannon. Common sizes were 42, 36, 32, 24, 18, 12, 9, 8, and 6; though it depended on the cannon type and the nation who used the cannon. Guns on vessels could only be so long given that both sides of the vessel carried them and the gun needed to be pulled inward to be loaded. On most vessels, both sides of the gun deck could not run at the same time due to space and number of men. All cannons were relatively inaccurate but some were more accurate than others and because of this, naval battles were generally fought under 100 yards. Cannons are made from two types of metals: bronze and cast iron. Bronze was a stronger metal, it withstood the shock of discharge better and lasted longer at sea. It was easy to cast and could be re-cast and easily embellished with decorations. Though bronze was 20% heavier than iron, it could be used to make thinner guns of the came caliber - making a difference of 200-300lbs. When the cannons malfunctioned, they were also safer than their iron counterparts which would shatter and injure nearby crew while the bronze cannon would bulge and split open longitudinally at the breech. Though, bronze could become soft and sag, causing the bore to become misshapen, when in continually action and firing numerous shots. By the mid-17th century, England, France, and the Netherlands had mass produced iron cannons and to replace those of bronze.
Carronade (British)
Created by the British, this is a short, cast iron cannon which served as a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon. Built for their
power, carronades had shorter range than other cannons, around 1200ft. with a barrel measuring between 3 - 5ft. They were extremely effective
at destroying the wood of the ship and spraying the crew with splinters on the process.
Poundage: 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 42, and 68
Because these cannons are particularly powerful, the number of them will be limited and used with mod approval.
Culverin
A long barrel cannon used for long range cannon with a high muzzle velocity. Depending on the type of culverin, the length of the barrel ranged
from 12ft to 14ft and 9in. with a caliber of 5 - 5½ in. and weight between 4000 - 4800lbs. Similar to a demi-culverin it was favored for its
accuracy with an effective range of 1750ft. The ordinary culverin had a bore of 5½ in. and shot a 18lb round shot 5in. in diameter.
Poundage: 14, 18, 24, and 32
The French used them as field cannons though the British adapted them for naval use. Also commonly used by the Spanish.
Demi-Culverin
A medium-sized cannon, smaller than a culverin. The barrel was about 11ft. long with a caliber of 4 in. and weight of 3400lbs. Generally firing
an 8lb shot with 6lbs of powder. Though some heavier variants fired a 9lb or 10lb shot. With an effective range of 1800ft. these cannons were
valued for their accuracy and effectiveness, often used in sieges.
Poundage: 8, 9, and 10
Commonly used by the Spanish.
Falconet
A short, lightweight cannon with a barrel about 4ft. in length, a caliber of 2in., and a weight of about 300lbs. Falconets used 0.5 pounds of black
powder to fire a 1lbs round shot though they could also fire grapeshot; their effective range was 5,000ft.
Poundage: 1 and 2
Long Nine (British)
Commonly used by the British, a full length cannon that fires a 9lbs shot; commonly used as a bow or stern chaser cannon on British vessels. It
had a longer barrel that 9 pounder naval guns, giving it longer range.
Poundage: 9
Minion
Previously a very popular cannon used on the topdecks of vessels throughout the world. These small cannons had a bore of 3in. and fired a 5lbs
cannonball.
Poundage: 5
Saker
A medium bronze cannon, smaller than a culverin often used by the English, though Spain had a few varieties. The barrel was about 9½ft. long
with a bore of 3.¼ in. and weighing around 1900lbs. The shot fired from this cannon generally weighed 5lbs and needed 4lbs of powder; they
were designed to bounce along the ground to cause as much damage as possible. The Saker's effective range was 9,000ft.
Poundage: 5, 7, and 9
The French version of the saker was called the moyenne and had a slightly shorter barrel. Commonly used by the Spanish and English.
Standard Gun
Essentially the standard naval gun of this time, modeled after the 42 pounder field gun but smaller in length and poundage to be suitable for a
vessel. It was made in several different sizes by multiple countries with standard rates of poundage were 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, and 36. Some sizes
were favored by certain countries and some sizes were only made specifically by those countries. For example, the British manufactured light
9 pounder cannons and heavy 32 pounder cannons while the French manufactured light 8 pounder cannons and heavy 36 pounder cannons. The
lighter 12 pounder cannons and below were used on smaller frigates with a single gundeck and the heavier cannons from 18 and above were on
large multi-gundeck vessels. The bore and barrel length of these cannons depended on their poundage but from what could be found, the 12
pounder was 7ft 9in, and the 18 and 24 pounders were 8ft 3in. The 32 and 36 pounder cannons were about 9ft in length. The effective range of
these guns 1600-2100ft. depending on the poundage and barrel length.
Poundage: 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, and 36
Guns that fired 9 and 12 pound shots were called quarter-cannons, guns that fired 16 pound shots were called third-cannon, and cannons that
fired 24 pound shots were called demicannons.
Swivel
A small cannon mounted on a stand or fork that allowed for a wide arc of movement, the cannon itself can be spun around and the barrel can be
aimed high and low. These guns only came in small sizes with a barrel measuring 3ft or 4ft long and firing shots that weighed 1lbs or 2lbs.
Usually these guns were used to fire grapeshot and acted as anti-personnel weapons due to their short range. They were highly portable, some
versions could be moved around the ship while others could be mounted to the rail.
Poundage: 1 and 2
(Below is a gallery of different images of cannons and gundecks. Credit to the respective artists and photographers for their work.)
During this time it was unlikely that nations use the exact same types of cannons. Though the British, French, and Spanish used culverins, they used different types. Cannons were rated by their pound rating, the weight of a single round shot fired from the cannon. Common sizes were 42, 36, 32, 24, 18, 12, 9, 8, and 6; though it depended on the cannon type and the nation who used the cannon. Guns on vessels could only be so long given that both sides of the vessel carried them and the gun needed to be pulled inward to be loaded. On most vessels, both sides of the gun deck could not run at the same time due to space and number of men. All cannons were relatively inaccurate but some were more accurate than others and because of this, naval battles were generally fought under 100 yards. Cannons are made from two types of metals: bronze and cast iron. Bronze was a stronger metal, it withstood the shock of discharge better and lasted longer at sea. It was easy to cast and could be re-cast and easily embellished with decorations. Though bronze was 20% heavier than iron, it could be used to make thinner guns of the came caliber - making a difference of 200-300lbs. When the cannons malfunctioned, they were also safer than their iron counterparts which would shatter and injure nearby crew while the bronze cannon would bulge and split open longitudinally at the breech. Though, bronze could become soft and sag, causing the bore to become misshapen, when in continually action and firing numerous shots. By the mid-17th century, England, France, and the Netherlands had mass produced iron cannons and to replace those of bronze.
Carronade (British)
Created by the British, this is a short, cast iron cannon which served as a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon. Built for their
power, carronades had shorter range than other cannons, around 1200ft. with a barrel measuring between 3 - 5ft. They were extremely effective
at destroying the wood of the ship and spraying the crew with splinters on the process.
Poundage: 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 42, and 68
Because these cannons are particularly powerful, the number of them will be limited and used with mod approval.
Culverin
A long barrel cannon used for long range cannon with a high muzzle velocity. Depending on the type of culverin, the length of the barrel ranged
from 12ft to 14ft and 9in. with a caliber of 5 - 5½ in. and weight between 4000 - 4800lbs. Similar to a demi-culverin it was favored for its
accuracy with an effective range of 1750ft. The ordinary culverin had a bore of 5½ in. and shot a 18lb round shot 5in. in diameter.
Poundage: 14, 18, 24, and 32
The French used them as field cannons though the British adapted them for naval use. Also commonly used by the Spanish.
Demi-Culverin
A medium-sized cannon, smaller than a culverin. The barrel was about 11ft. long with a caliber of 4 in. and weight of 3400lbs. Generally firing
an 8lb shot with 6lbs of powder. Though some heavier variants fired a 9lb or 10lb shot. With an effective range of 1800ft. these cannons were
valued for their accuracy and effectiveness, often used in sieges.
Poundage: 8, 9, and 10
Commonly used by the Spanish.
Falconet
A short, lightweight cannon with a barrel about 4ft. in length, a caliber of 2in., and a weight of about 300lbs. Falconets used 0.5 pounds of black
powder to fire a 1lbs round shot though they could also fire grapeshot; their effective range was 5,000ft.
Poundage: 1 and 2
Long Nine (British)
Commonly used by the British, a full length cannon that fires a 9lbs shot; commonly used as a bow or stern chaser cannon on British vessels. It
had a longer barrel that 9 pounder naval guns, giving it longer range.
Poundage: 9
Minion
Previously a very popular cannon used on the topdecks of vessels throughout the world. These small cannons had a bore of 3in. and fired a 5lbs
cannonball.
Poundage: 5
Saker
A medium bronze cannon, smaller than a culverin often used by the English, though Spain had a few varieties. The barrel was about 9½ft. long
with a bore of 3.¼ in. and weighing around 1900lbs. The shot fired from this cannon generally weighed 5lbs and needed 4lbs of powder; they
were designed to bounce along the ground to cause as much damage as possible. The Saker's effective range was 9,000ft.
Poundage: 5, 7, and 9
The French version of the saker was called the moyenne and had a slightly shorter barrel. Commonly used by the Spanish and English.
Standard Gun
Essentially the standard naval gun of this time, modeled after the 42 pounder field gun but smaller in length and poundage to be suitable for a
vessel. It was made in several different sizes by multiple countries with standard rates of poundage were 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, and 36. Some sizes
were favored by certain countries and some sizes were only made specifically by those countries. For example, the British manufactured light
9 pounder cannons and heavy 32 pounder cannons while the French manufactured light 8 pounder cannons and heavy 36 pounder cannons. The
lighter 12 pounder cannons and below were used on smaller frigates with a single gundeck and the heavier cannons from 18 and above were on
large multi-gundeck vessels. The bore and barrel length of these cannons depended on their poundage but from what could be found, the 12
pounder was 7ft 9in, and the 18 and 24 pounders were 8ft 3in. The 32 and 36 pounder cannons were about 9ft in length. The effective range of
these guns 1600-2100ft. depending on the poundage and barrel length.
Poundage: 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, and 36
Guns that fired 9 and 12 pound shots were called quarter-cannons, guns that fired 16 pound shots were called third-cannon, and cannons that
fired 24 pound shots were called demicannons.
Swivel
A small cannon mounted on a stand or fork that allowed for a wide arc of movement, the cannon itself can be spun around and the barrel can be
aimed high and low. These guns only came in small sizes with a barrel measuring 3ft or 4ft long and firing shots that weighed 1lbs or 2lbs.
Usually these guns were used to fire grapeshot and acted as anti-personnel weapons due to their short range. They were highly portable, some
versions could be moved around the ship while others could be mounted to the rail.
Poundage: 1 and 2
(Below is a gallery of different images of cannons and gundecks. Credit to the respective artists and photographers for their work.)
Diagram of a Gunner's Work Station
A – GunPort Tackle: Fasteners and length of rope holding the gunport open
B – Train Tackle: Length of rope used to keep the cannon recoiled while loading
C – Gun Tackle: Rope with fasteners attached to the gun carriage and the ship
used to real the cannon forward after loading
D – Breeching Tackle: Rope tied around the cascabel knob and fastened to the
ship to control the recoil of the cannon
E – Breech: Mass of solid metal behind the bottom of the barrel, end of the
cannon opposite the muzzle
F – Quoin: A wooden edge used to adjust the angle of the cannon
G – Rammer (Box): Rounded piece of wood attached to a pole which drives the
powder and ball into the breech
H – Mop: Wad of cloth or sponge fixed to a pole and used to wipe out remaining
embers from the inside of the barrel before reloading
J – Wormer: Corkscrew-like tool fixed to a long rod and used to clear out wads or
remains of the shot from the barrel
K – Trunnion: A rounded protrusion underneath the barrel used as a mounting
or pivot point for the cannon
L – Handspike: Pinch bar used to move or lift the breech to adjust the quoin
A – GunPort Tackle: Fasteners and length of rope holding the gunport open
B – Train Tackle: Length of rope used to keep the cannon recoiled while loading
C – Gun Tackle: Rope with fasteners attached to the gun carriage and the ship
used to real the cannon forward after loading
D – Breeching Tackle: Rope tied around the cascabel knob and fastened to the
ship to control the recoil of the cannon
E – Breech: Mass of solid metal behind the bottom of the barrel, end of the
cannon opposite the muzzle
F – Quoin: A wooden edge used to adjust the angle of the cannon
G – Rammer (Box): Rounded piece of wood attached to a pole which drives the
powder and ball into the breech
H – Mop: Wad of cloth or sponge fixed to a pole and used to wipe out remaining
embers from the inside of the barrel before reloading
J – Wormer: Corkscrew-like tool fixed to a long rod and used to clear out wads or
remains of the shot from the barrel
K – Trunnion: A rounded protrusion underneath the barrel used as a mounting
or pivot point for the cannon
L – Handspike: Pinch bar used to move or lift the breech to adjust the quoin
Cannon Shots
Cannons fired a number of different projectiles weighing a variety of pounds. Not all shots were made from iron, some were lead and even stone. Not all shots have the same range due to their design and the most accurate is the round shot. To quickly cover this area, captions have
been added to the images below to identify and describe them. These are not all the cannon projectiles that have been used, there are even some
created by members of the RP so it is difficult to find pictures of such creations.
The carcass shell will be limited in quantity on vessels per the moderator's call. The shrapnel shell was also present during the later end of
this century but for now it will be excluded. However, shots made containing broken glass, nails, and musket balls can be referred to as
shrapnel. An example of the member-made cannon shot is the oil canister and Greek Fire grenades used by the NPC Commodore Kieron; it
belongs to an NPC for a reason.
(All Credit for the images goes to the artists and photographers.)
been added to the images below to identify and describe them. These are not all the cannon projectiles that have been used, there are even some
created by members of the RP so it is difficult to find pictures of such creations.
The carcass shell will be limited in quantity on vessels per the moderator's call. The shrapnel shell was also present during the later end of
this century but for now it will be excluded. However, shots made containing broken glass, nails, and musket balls can be referred to as
shrapnel. An example of the member-made cannon shot is the oil canister and Greek Fire grenades used by the NPC Commodore Kieron; it
belongs to an NPC for a reason.
(All Credit for the images goes to the artists and photographers.)