Carronades and cannons were both vital artillery pieces in the 18th century, but they were designed for different purposes, especially when it came to range and impact.

Carronades were direct-fire, short-barrelled guns known for their devastating power at close range. Due to their shorter barrels and reduced gunpowder charges, carronades had a significantly shorter range. However, they were also much lighter than cannons firing the same-sized shot, making them easier to mount on smaller vessels or in upper decks.

In contrast, long guns or cannons were traditional, full-length artillery pieces capable of firing solid shot over distances of 1,000 yards or more. Their extended range made them suitable for line-of-battle engagements, where ships exchanged broadsides from a distance. However, their considerable weight and size meant that only larger ships could carry them in significant numbers.

The Naval Gunner, a period manual containing accurate methods of disparting ordnance and official gunnery tables, offers clear evidence of these differences:

Carronades – Dimensions and Ranges

Nature (Pounders)Diameter of Bore (inches)Length in CalibresWeight of Metal (cwt)Weight of Shot (lbs)Weight of Powder (lbs)688.056.730685.66426.846.522423.5326.137.717322.67245.686.915242184.626.213181.5124.525.610121

Charge (lbs)68 Prs (Yards)42 Prs (Yards)32 Prs (Yards)24 Prs (Yards)18 Prs (Yards)12 Prs (Yards)145040033027023018028008008007807306003980900870800770700411001020980900870810512801170108710501000870

Iron Ordnance on Sea Service Carriages

Elevation (Degrees)24-Pdr, 6 ft – 1st Graze24-Pdr, 6 ft – Extreme Range18-Pdr, 9 ft – 1st Graze18-Pdr, 9 ft – Extreme Range18-Pdr, 8 ft – 1st Graze18-Pdr, 8 ft – Extreme RangeP2505900250590025047001°4088200408820040672002°564102005641020051688333°7201180072011800646104164°8641338386413383786119005°101415000101415000933135006°1164166001164166001068149387°1314182001314182001216163008°1464198001464198001352178389°16142133316142133315001930510°17642290017642290016362070011°19142450019142450017842213812°20642606620642606619202360513°22142760022142760020682500014°23642920023642920022042641615°251430800251430800235227850

Conclusion

This comparison illustrates the stark differences in performance between carronades and cannons. Carronades were ideal for close-range action, where quick and powerful broadsides could devastate enemy decks and hulls. Cannons, on the other hand, were necessary for long-range duels, fleet actions, and engagements requiring sustained fire over thousands of yards.