| Historical Specifics: |
This carronade has trunnions and the measurements indicate we are looking at one of 6 pounder calibre. There is a mark of a diamond with an internal cross and the weight is shown as 4-3-2. It is reasonable to assume it came from a merchant vessel and dates from the period around the 1850s.
The carronade was first invented in the late 1770's by General Robert Melville and built by the Carron Iron Company of Falkirk, Scotland. It was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1779. The idea was influenced by the fact that most sea battles took place at short range so a short barrel cannon that used less powder but heavy projectiles would be effective in this situation. A shorter gun would reduce the weight; a 32 pounder carronade would weigh the same as a 6 pound long gun.
It was used initially on quarterdecks, forecastles and poops. The carronade was not an instant hit. By 1801, it was obvious that the carronade was here to stay. On new ships, barricades were built around the poop and forecastles to protect the carronade crews.
They became popular with merchant ships.
The carronade was a short, light piece of cast-iron ordnance with a large bore relative to its weight. The muzzles of the carronade were different from those of a cannon. The trunnions were located on the underside of the barrel instead of the middle like a cannon. Since its light weight necessitated the use of a reduced powder charge, the carronade was a relatively short-range weapon. They were developed by the Carron Company. |
