Demi-cannon

Demi-cannon
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Artillery in the Middle Ages
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16th century German artillery, including (4) a demi-cannon

The demi-cannon was a medium sized cannon, similar to but slightly larger than a culverin and smaller than a regular 42lb (19kg) cannon developed in the early 17th century.[1] A full cannon fired a 42-pound shot but these were discontinued in the 18th century as they were seen as too unwieldy. The lower tier of 17th Century English warships were usually equipped with demi-cannons. Ships featuring demi-cannons included HMS Sovereign of the Seas,[2] HMS Resolution[3]and HMS James, which fought in the Anglo-Dutch naval wars.[4]
The barrels of demi-cannon were typically 11ft (3.4m) long, had a calibre of 6 inches (15.4cm) and could weigh up to 5600lb (2540kg). It required 18lb (8kg) of black powder to fire a 32lb (14.5kg) round shot. The demi-cannon had an effective range of 1600ft (490m).[1][5]
These 32-pounders were used during the 18th century on first-rate three-decker ships of the line[6] which carried up to 100 guns. Though powerful, the naval demi-cannons were inaccurate except at close range so opposing warships would try to get as close as possible before firing their broadside in order to cause as much damage as possible; sometimes a single broadside was enough to cripple the enemy vessel.[7]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b Artillery through the ages
  2. ^ http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3899
  3. ^ Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
  4. ^ Colledge, J. J. and Warlow, Ben (2006). Ships of the Royal Navy: the complete record of all fighting ships of the Royal Navy, Rev. ed., London: Chatham. ISBN 9781861762818. OCLC 67375475.
  5. ^ English artillery 1626 to 1643
  6. ^ http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=44269362558d9c4885f7a3de54751f1b
  7. ^ Stephen Biesty (ill.) and Richard Platt (author). (1993). Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Man-of-War. New York: Dorling Kindersley.

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  • demi-cannon — /dem ee kan euhn/, n. a large cannon of the 16th century, having a bore of about 61/2 in. (17 cm) and firing a shot of from 30 to 36 lb. (14 to 16 kg). [1550 60; < MF; see DEMI , CANNON] * * * …   Universalium

  • demi-cannon — /dem ee kan euhn/, n. a large cannon of the 16th century, having a bore of about 61/2 in. (17 cm) and firing a shot of from 30 to 36 lb. (14 to 16 kg). [1550 60; MF; see DEMI , CANNON] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Demi (disambiguation) — Demi, a prefix meaning half , may refer to: Contents 1 People 2 Fictional characters 3 Other uses 4 See also People …   Wikipedia

  • Cannon operation — required specialised crew and gunners, who were first enlisted by the Spanish in the 14th century.Hoffmeyer, p. 217.] The nature of cannon operation often depended on the size of the cannon and whether they were breech loading or muzzle loading.… …   Wikipedia

  • demi — demi·bastion; demi·brassard; demi·cannon; demi·canton; demi·circle; demi·culverin; demi·glace; demi·god; demi·goddess; demi·john; demi·lance; demi·lancer; demi·metope; demi·mon·daine; demi·rep; demi·rhumb; demi·sang; demi·semiquaver;… …   English syllables

  • Demi-culverin — Part of the series on Cannon His …   Wikipedia

  • Cannon — A cannon is a type of artillery, usually large and tubular, that uses gunpowder or other explosive based propellants to launch a projectile over a distance. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower;… …   Wikipedia

  • Cannon in the Middle Ages — were large tubular firearms designed to fire a heavy projectile over a long distance. They were used in China, Europe and the Middle East during the period, and became an important type of artillery.Although gunpowder was known in Europe during… …   Wikipedia

  • cannon — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. gun, field gun or piece; artillery, ordnance, battery. See arms. II (Roget s IV) n. Types of cannon include: self propelled, muzzle loading, muzzle loader, breech loading, breechloader, demi, whole… …   English dictionary for students

  • Minion (cannon) — Part of the series on Cannon His …   Wikipedia

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