Jun 07, 2010 The one-two punch of stone and iron balls spelled doom for castle walls. At close range, cannons were often used like sawed-off shotguns to fire bunches of smaller balls, devastating to troops massed on level ground. At sea, ships often fired iron bars, chains and small balls. Round shot or solid shot or a cannonball or simply ball A solid spherical projectile made, in early times, from dressed stone but, by the 17th century, from iron. The most accurate projectile that could be fired by a smooth-bore cannon, used to batter the wooden hulls of opposing ships, forts, or fixed emplacements, and as a long-range anti-personnel weapon.
![](/uploads/1/2/6/8/126873386/616437832.jpg)
![Balls Balls](http://www.riverbills.com/pic_of_the_day/092509_Pirate_Day_Group_2S_475x.jpg)
Horizontal cut through viewsof the decks of a Man-of-warPoopdeckThe highest deck on the ship, the unarmed poop deck was usedmainly by officers. From here, the signal lieutenant hauled upflags to signal to nearby vessels.Quarter deckAt the stern of the ship, the quarter deck was also normallyreserved for the officers. The Captain slept in a cabin at thestern of ths deck so he could be on hand quickly in anemergency. The quarter deck was armed with 12 cannons. They werecalled 12 pounders because they each fired an orange sizedcannonball weighing approximately 12 pounds (5.5 kg).ForescastleThis raised deck covered the main deck at the bows. Gangwayslinked it to the quarter deck.
Many of the ship's sails werecontrolled from here, and there were four guns as well. Two werecannonades, or 'smashers', a type of short gun firing a heavyshot. They were most effective at short range.
This man-of-warcarried two huge 68-pounder (31 kg) carronades.Upper gun deckUnlike the lower and middle decks, this deck was open to theweather in the middle. Three of the man-of-war's small boats saton cradles attached to the beams which crossed over the openspace. It was armed with the 24-pounder guns - 15 along eachside!
The admiral had his day cabin located on this deck at thestern of the vessel.Middle deckThe lighter 24-pounder guns on the middle deck fired smallish 11kg balls, the size of a grapefruit. There were 14 guns on eachside, and many of the crew slept and ate here. The galley, theship's kitchen, was located here, too. At the stern the officershad their cabins and wardroom (dining/living room).Lower deckThis was the lowest gun deck. Down eac side there were fifteen32-pounder cannons, which fired 14 kg balls the size of acoconut. When the ship was not fighting in a battle, many of theseamen hung their hammocks between the beams of this deck.Orlop deckThe orlop deck got its name from a Dutch word meaning 'overlap',because this deck overlapped the hold. This deck was primarilyused for storage, and for the offices of some of the ship's crewwho needed access to the hold, such as the purser and carpenter.HoldLocated at the very bottom of the ship, the hold was like agiant warehouse.
Here the crew stored provisions for the voyage, such asall the food and drink they would require, iron cannonballs, spare ropesand sails, and materials for repairing any damages experienced while atsea.Click on the Piece of Eight to return to theMain Page.
Dive InMON-SUN 11:00am - 9pm Sushi with a splash!Besides the delicious inventive sushi and California cuisine inspired by Pacific Rim influences, this oceanfront restaurant is also serving up the best view in San Diego! It's never been more enjoyable to sip on refreshing beach craft cocktails while soaking up the essence of the beach. With thoughtful details and accents, this Mission Beach rooftop transports you to a pool-like setting without all the splashing and twice the views.
So dive in, there's nothing quite like Cannonball!
![](/uploads/1/2/6/8/126873386/616437832.jpg)