A carronade used a powder charge that was one sixth of that of a cannon, yet could project a comparably weighted ball. This was achieved by a reduction in windage: the difference between the size of the bore and the round to be fired.

What is a carronade used for?

The carronade is a short smoothbore, cast iron cannon, which was used by the Royal Navy and first produced by the Carron Company, an ironworks in Falkirk, Scotland, UK. It was used from the 1770s to the 1850s. Its main function was to serve as a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon.

What is a carronade gun?

A carronade is a short, smoothbore, cast-iron cannon which was used by the Royal Navy. It was first produced by the Carron Company, an ironworks in Falkirk, Scotland, and was used from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century.