Here we are! In part three of touring a ship-of-the-line (usually 74 guns) in the 1700s, we are going to explore the gun decks. But why is it important to know where cannons were fired? I agree, it’s hard to relate cannons to our everyday life or even our survival kit for that matter. However, it is what’s behind those cannons that matter. 287 years ago, sailors were battling to freely breathe, battling to stay afloat, battling to win this war for independence and justice. Because of this dream, they fought in these gun decks.
Following David Hayes—author of Firing a Cannon and founder of Historical Naval Fiction: The Home of Naval Fiction Set in the Age of Sail—loading a cannon on a ship goes like this: your partner loads the cartridge, a cloth wad made from canvas or old rope tucks the cannonball while another fellow sailor rams the bullet home. The gun captain pricks the cartridge with a small wire, then yells, ‘Home!’ Next, you’re all ordered to ‘Shoot your guns!’ Together, you and your partners heave back on the ropes the pully the 2.5-ton cannon to the peep hole of the side of the ship. Now, you paint the touchhole with your priming horn. You pull the hammer lever on the cannon. Pleased your captain raises his hand with a string connected to the lock on the cannon, he calls, ‘Fire!’ He yanks the string. Click. The hammer sparks and the gun catapults the cannonball forward as the gun jerks backward. You and your partners grab those rope to stop the cannon’s marathon. At the command, ‘Serve your vents!’, your partner covers the touchhole with his fireproof glove. Lastly, the other sailors swap the cannon barrel again. And you restart the process as you grip the next cannonball.
Perhaps this time you’re handed a grapeshot—a bunch of round shots in a canvas. Or perhaps you’re handed two cannonballs with a chain linking them together. This is called a chain shot. But if a bar connects the cannonballs instead of a chain, then it is a bar shot. These can damage a ship’s rigging, netting, and sails.
Matthew Brenckle—research historian and author of Perils of the Sea for the USS Constitution Museum—points out that the British called the middle of the ship the “slaughterhouse” due to the effect of cannonballs showering wooden splinters from the ship (para. 9).
So, who worked in these gun decks? Well, the Gunner was responsible for the guns and powder, but in a battle, he was stationed in the magazine below with the ammo. The gunner’s mate, however, would fill cartridges, clean the guns, and so forth. Usually for every four guns, there was a quarter gunner who’d do most of the things a gunner’s mate would do but a quarter master also oversaw sail maneuverings. A gunner’s yeoman took care of accounts and distributions for the Gunner. However, the ones shooting the cannons were the able seamen.
What job would you like to have aboard a 1700s warship? I’d really enjoy hearing your thoughts in the “Leave a Reply” box below or in through email by the “Contact” section above. Thank you for joining me on this journey! Stay tuned; next time, we’ll be aiming for the captain’s quarters. (;
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Michala Woodruff 
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