diagram of carronade mounting. lack of nozzle or muzzle cup suggests carronade pre-dates ca. 1790, , must date 1785 or earlier copy of drawing in dutch archives bears date.
model of carronade grapeshot ammunition
a carronade shorter , third quarter of weight of equivalent long gun. 32-pounder carronade, example, weighed less ton, 32-pounder long gun weighed on 3 tons. carronades manufactured in usual naval gun sizes: 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 32-, 42-, , 68-pounder versions known.
the smaller carronades served in 3 roles. first, constituted entire armament of unrated vessels. instance, ballahoo- , cuckoo-class schooners armed 4 12-pounder carronades. second, gunboats such americans deployed @ battle of lake borgne had 1 large 18-, 24-, or 32-pounder gun forward on pivot, , 2 smaller carronades aft. finally, larger vessels carried few 12-, 18-, or 24-pounders arm ship s boats—cutters, pinnaces, launches, barges, , like—to give them firepower boat actions. instance, each of 42 larger british vessels @ battle of lake borgne carried carronade in bow; 3 gigs unarmed.
at other end, quite small vessel might carry 68-pounders. instance, commander william layman of cruizer-class brig sloop hms raven replaced 2 forward 6-pounder guns , 32-pounder carronades single 68-pounder on pivot, , did same 2 of aft 32-pounder carronades. doing this, replaced 70 pounds of broadside 136 pounds (assuming both 68-pounders fire on same side), , ensured raven have less dead-space front , rear.
carronades not counted in ship of line s rated number of guns. classification of royal navy vessels in period can therefore mislead; carrying fewer guns more pieces of ordnance described carrying.
the carronade, other naval guns, mounted ropes restrain recoil, details of gun mounting quite different. carronade typically mounted on sliding rather wheeled gun carriage, , elevation achieved turnscrew, field guns, rather quoins (wooden wedges) usual naval guns. in addition, carronade mounted on lug underneath barrel, rather usual trunnions either side. result, carronade had unusually high centre of gravity. towards end of period of use, carronades fitted trunnions lower centres of gravity, create variant known gunnade . gunnades, introduced around 1820, distinct earliest carronades, featured trunnions.
in later 18th century new type of cannon developed in britain cross between cannon , carronade, called cannonade (not confused term cannonade refers rapid , sustained artillery fire or act of firing such). example medium 18 pounder , shorter , lighter gun, yet longer carronade. while seemingly idea in theory, found gun less accurate , shorter-ranged long cannon, less powerful carronade, , @ 28 cwt light powerful charge, meaning recoil excessive , broke breachings, or ropes, attached gun hull timbers. removed service in cases, although number retained on ships in merchant service, such east india company, not expected engage in combat. number of merchant ships in battle of pulo aura armed cannonades. fight between fleet of east india company merchantmen under command of commodore nathaniel dance , french naval squadron under admiral linois; unusual merchant ships engage in combat, beat off french in series of engagements, convincing them facing powerful force of royal navy vessels; action later used basis climactic battle in book h.m.s surprise, part of famous aubrey , maturin series patrick o brian.
carronade on garrison mount, used defend fortifications. government house, bermuda
the east india company (eic) used carronades, , these appear larger, , heavier royal navy used. in discussion of single-ship action in french frigate piémontaise captured east indiaman warren hastings on 11 june 1805, naval historian william james compared 18-pounder carronades on warren hastings 18-pounder carronades british royal navy used. eic 18-pounder 5 ft (1.5 m) long, , weighed 15 ⁄2 cwt (1,736 lb (787 kg)); royal navy s 18-pounder carronade 3 ft 3 in (1.0 m) , weighed 10 ⁄2 cwt (1,176 lb (533 kg)). james s figures show eic s 12-pounder carronades 3 ft 3 in (1.0 m) long, , weighed 8 ⁄2 cwt (952 lb (432 kg)); royal navy s 12-pounder carronade 2 ft 8 in (0.8 m) , weighed 6 ⁄2 cwt (728 lb (330 kg)).
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