The spelling of "Carronade" can be a bit confusing, but it makes sense once you understand its origin. The word comes from the French town of Carron, where these short-barreled cannons were originally manufactured. The "-ade" ending is common in French words denoting a weapon or tool, such as "grenade" or "spade". Phonetic transcription using IPA would be [kæɹəneɪd]. So, the correct spelling of this naval gun is "Carronade," not "Canonade" or "Karrenade".
A carronade is a type of short-barreled cannon that was widely used on warships from the late 18th to the mid-19th century. Originally developed by the Carron Company, a Scottish ironworks, it was distinctive for its large bore diameter relative to its length. Typically, a carronade had a calibre of 6 to 11 inches and a barrel length of around 26 calibres, which made it shorter and lighter compared to traditional long guns.
The carronade was designed to fire large, destructive projectiles at short ranges, making it highly effective in close-quarters naval combat. Due to its short length, it had a low muzzle velocity and a steep trajectory, but it compensated for this by discharging a heavy payload that inflicted significant damage upon impact. The destructive power of a carronade mainly derived from its ability to fire a variety of ammunition, including round shot, grapeshot, canister shot, and explosive shells.
Typically mounted on a ship's upper deck, carronades inflicted considerable damage to enemy vessels, often causing chaos and casualties among the crew. As they were relatively lighter than long guns, carronades were easier to maneuver and aim, allowing for faster follow-up shots. Their use was particularly prevalent during naval engagements, where the tight distances between opposing ships allowed carronades to exploit their short-range potency effectively.
In conclusion, a carronade was a type of short-barreled cannon, known for its large bore diameter, limited range, and destructive power in close-quarters naval battles.
A short cannon formerly used in the navy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "carronade" comes from the name of the Scottish village of Carron, near Falkirk. It was in this village that the Carron Company, a prominent ironworks company, began manufacturing a type of naval artillery piece in the late 18th century. These short-barreled cannons became known as "carronades", taking their name from the place of their origin. The term eventually gained widespread usage among the maritime community to refer to this specific type of cannon.