Course:History 344 Nasty Families/Warfare/Cannons

The smoothbore cannon was the first to appear in the early fourteenth century in Europe. Near the end of the 15th century, the art of casting greatly improved. Lighter cannons began to be created and proved to be more effective on the battlefield. The best cannons were cast in bronze and were bored so that the stone, iron, or lead cannonballs fit closely, without packing. Earlier cannons had to use straw, cloth, or a wooden plug to achieve a good fit. Forged iron cannonballs with lead covering were used. During the mid 17th century and early 18th century cannons were used to protect an army’s deployment and to prepare for the advance of troops by firing upon enemy formations. Cannon artillery joined cavalry and infantry on the battlefield. The cannon was a shock weapon, most effectively used in mass. The cannons' placement was critical to success. The battery itself was fixed, although fire could be directed to any point within range relatively quickly. One good shot across the front of a cavalry or infantry charge would lead to incredible destruction.

The cannon quickly became indispensable for naval warfare as well. Closing with and boarding an enemy ship became the final stage of the battle, not its beginning. The preliminary stages were manoeuvre to gain advantage, bombard the enemy ship to destroy its masts and rigging (and so its ability to manoeuvre), sweep its weather decks of defenders, and stave in its wooden sides and finally set it on fire. Fires were set by heating the shot red-hot in a furnace and lodging it in the enemy's flanks. The engagement did not begin at full range of the cannon, but usually at 'half pistol shot' or about 100 yards, frighteningly close, when the broadsides would have their maximum effect”. References: