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Gun deck

A gun deck is the primary lower deck of a historical warship, designed to house and operate the vessel's main battery of heavy cannons for broadside engagements during naval combat. In sailing ships of the Age of Sail, it served as the structural backbone, providing a stable platform for artillery while supporting the ship's overall integrity through reinforced beams and planking.^[1] This deck typically featured rows of gun ports along the hull, allowing cannons to fire perpendicular to the ship's length, maximizing firepower against enemy vessels at close range.^[2] The concept of the gun deck emerged in the early 16th century as naval architecture evolved to accommodate larger ordnance, transitioning from smaller, ineffective guns on upper decks to heavy "murderers" mounted on lower levels for low-trajectory broadsides that could target an opponent's waterline.^[3] This innovation, facilitated by designs like the square-tuck stern under King Henry VIII, marked a shift from superstructure-damaging fire to hull-breaching attacks, fundamentally altering warship tactics and construction. By the 17th and 18th centuries, multi-deck configurations—such as two- or three-decker ships-of-the-line—standardized the gun deck as the lowest complete armament level, with gun weight and number defining a ship's rate and combat prowess.^[2] Iconic examples include the USS Constitution, a 44-gun frigate where the gun deck carried thirty 24-pounder long guns (fifteen per side), crewed by teams of up to twelve sailors each under midshipman command, emphasizing its role in disciplined broadside volleys during the War of 1812.^[4]^[5] Constructed from durable white oak and pitch pine with double-thick strakes for strength, such decks demanded rigorous maintenance, including holystoning to scrub away battle debris and ensure watertightness.^[1] The gun deck's legacy underscores the engineering and tactical advancements that dominated wooden warship warfare until the advent of steam and ironclads in the mid-19th century.^[2]

Definition and Context

Naval Definition

In naval architecture, a gun deck refers to a dedicated deck on warships, particularly during the Age of Sail, where heavy cannons were mounted for broadside fire, serving as the primary platform for offensive armament in ship-to-ship combat.^[5] This deck was typically positioned below the upper or spar deck and above the orlop deck, providing an enclosed or semi-enclosed space to protect the guns and crew from weather and enemy fire while allowing for coordinated volleys along the ship's length.^[5] The gun deck's design emphasized horizontal alignment of artillery pieces along both sides of the hull, enabling simultaneous broadside discharges that maximized destructive impact on opposing vessels, a feature that set it apart from the irregular gun placements on smaller, unrated craft like sloops or brigs.^[6] It was most prominently featured on "rated" vessels, such as ships of the line, where formal ratings were assigned based on the number and caliber of guns carried across multiple decks, with the lowest gun deck often housing the heaviest battery to form the ship's main armament.^[6] Historical examples illustrate this configuration's evolution and challenges; the British first-rate HMS Victory, launched in 1765, incorporated three gun decks carrying a total of 104 guns, including 42-pounder cannons on its lower gun deck for maximum firepower in line-of-battle formations.^[7]^[8] Similarly, the Swedish warship Vasa, built in 1628, featured two gun decks with 48 bronze 24-pounder cannons primarily on the upper gun deck, but its instability—due to the top-heavy design from the high placement of heavy armament on the upper gun deck and insufficient ballast—led to the ship's sinking shortly after launch.^[9]

Comparison to Other Ship Decks

The gun deck, serving as the primary enclosed platform for mounting heavy cannons in warships of the Age of Sail, contrasts sharply with the upper deck, which was typically an open or spar deck used for lighter armament suited to anti-boarding defenses or chase scenarios, such as carronades or small swivel guns rather than full broadside batteries.^[10] In multi-decked vessels like ships of the line, the upper deck supported secondary guns, often 9- or 12-pounders, emphasizing mobility and quick deployment over the sustained firepower of the gun deck below.^[11] Below the gun deck lay the orlop deck, a non-armored level dedicated to storage, surgical operations, and powder magazines, with no provision for armament due to its position near or below the waterline, which prioritized compartmentalization and protection from battle damage over offensive capabilities.^[12] On unrated vessels, such as smaller sloops or brigs lacking a dedicated gun deck, armament was instead concentrated on the raised forecastle and quarterdeck platforms, which functioned as multifunctional upper structures for all cannons without the enclosed, broadside-oriented design of a true gun deck.^[10] These elevated areas, often lightly constructed with beams measuring around 7-8 inches in depth, accommodated a limited number of guns—typically 6- to 12-pounders—for forward or aft fire, relying on the main deck for crew and cargo rather than systematic artillery placement.^[12] In the hierarchical structure of rated warships, the gun deck occupied a central position as the lowest continuous level for the heaviest ordnance, with lower gun decks carrying 32- or 42-pounders to maximize destructive power at close range, while middle and upper gun decks featured progressively lighter pieces like 24- or 18-pounders to balance weight distribution.^[11] This tiered arrangement, evident in vessels such as 74-gun ships of the line, ensured that the heaviest artillery remained low in the hull for optimal broadside efficiency.^[12] The gun deck's low placement contributed to ship stability by lowering the center of gravity through the concentration of heavy cannons amidships, reducing rolling motions and enabling steadier firing platforms during broadsides, as emphasized in 18th-century naval design principles.^[13] However, this configuration heightened the risk of flooding if the hull was holed below the waterline, as ingress through gun ports could rapidly compromise buoyancy and lead to foundering, a vulnerability noted in early modern warships where ports were positioned just 4-5 feet above the waterline.^[13]

Historical Development

Origins in Early Cannon-Armed Ships

The gun deck emerged in the early 16th century as European naval powers, particularly Portugal and Spain, adapted the multi-masted carrack design—previously used for exploration and trade—to incorporate fixed gun ports below the main deck, marking a shift away from the oar-propelled Mediterranean galleys that relied on ramming and boarding tactics.^[14] These adaptations allowed for the mounting of heavy artillery in enclosed lower spaces, enhancing firepower while maintaining seaworthiness for ocean voyages, as seen in Portuguese carracks deployed in the Indian Ocean trade routes around 1500.^[15] The core concept of the gun deck as an enclosed level dedicated to cannon placement thus originated from this transitional phase, integrating artillery into the ship's structural framework.^[16] A pivotal milestone in this development was the English carrack Mary Rose, launched in 1511 under King Henry VIII, which initially featured heavy bronze cannons primarily in the forecastle and sterncastle. However, the initial high placement of these guns contributed to the ship's instability, as the elevated center of gravity made it prone to listing in rough seas, a flaw later addressed in refits.^[17] This configuration reflected the experimental nature of early cannon integration, with major refits around 1536–1540 adding dedicated lower gun ports and enabling broadside potential, resulting in up to 91 guns across multiple decks by the 1540s.^[16] The evolution toward broadside arrangements on gun decks was facilitated by advancements in gunpowder technology, notably the corning process developed after 1400, which granulated the powder into safer, more reliable granules and enabled denser onboard storage without explosion risks.^[18] This innovation supplanted earlier stern-chaser and bow guns—positioned for anti-boarding or pursuit—with rows of cannons along the hull sides, allowing devastating lateral volleys as demonstrated in Portuguese victories over larger fleets in the early 1500s.^[14] Early gun decks faced significant limitations due to wooden hulls' vulnerability to cannon recoil, which could splinter decks or shift the vessel; consequently, guns were initially secured with lashings to the bulwarks rather than mobile wheeled carriages, which were developed in the early to mid-16th century, such as those fitted during the Mary Rose's 1536 refit.^[19] These restraints limited reloading speed and maneuverability during firing, underscoring the rudimentary engineering of the era's cannon-armed ships.^[20]

Evolution During the Age of Sail

During the 17th century, innovations in gun deck design emerged prominently among Dutch and English shipbuilders, transitioning from earlier single-deck prototypes to flush-deck configurations that integrated artillery more effectively into warship hulls. The Swedish warship Vasa, launched in 1628, exemplified this shift by incorporating two full gun decks armed with 64 bronze cannons distributed across both decks, with heavier guns on the lower deck, which aimed to maximize broadside firepower but resulted in severe instability due to the top-heavy design raising the center of gravity. On its maiden voyage, a light gust caused the ship to heel, allowing water to flood through the low-placed gunports, leading to its rapid sinking and highlighting the risks of multi-tiered gun decks without adequate stability measures. These advancements were driven by the Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652–1674), which intensified naval competition and prompted both powers to develop multi-deck configurations optimized for line-of-battle tactics, where ships exchanged broadsides in parallel formations to leverage concentrated gun deck armament.^[21]^[22]^[23] By the 18th century, gun decks reached their peak standardization through the British Royal Navy's Rating System, established in 1694, which classified ships of the line based on the number and arrangement of gun decks to streamline construction and fleet organization during ongoing naval arms races. First-rate ships, the largest class, featured three full continuous gun decks carrying 100 or more guns, enabling overwhelming firepower in major engagements, as seen in vessels like HMS Victory, a 104-gun first-rater launched in 1765 with 30 long 32-pounders on its lower gun deck alone. This system emphasized balanced multi-deck layouts to support tactical doctrines refined from the previous century's conflicts, ensuring ships could sustain prolonged broadside duels while maintaining seaworthiness. The proliferation of such designs across European navies solidified gun decks as the core of wooden sailing warships, with second- and third-rates incorporating two or fewer decks for versatility in mixed fleets.^[6]^[24] The early 19th century marked the decline of traditional wooden gun decks following the Napoleonic Wars, as technological shifts toward steam propulsion and iron hulls rendered them obsolete by the 1850s. The introduction of Paixhans shell-firing guns in the 1820s, developed by French artillery officer Henri-Joseph Paixhans, revolutionized naval ordnance by enabling explosive shells to detonate inside wooden hulls, exposing the vulnerability of gun decks to incendiary damage and accelerating the transition to armored ironclads. Post-1815 innovations, including auxiliary steam engines on wooden ships, extended their use briefly, but the Crimean War (1853–1856) represented the final major deployment of wooden gun deck vessels, such as the Russian Black Sea Fleet's ships of the line at the Battle of Sinop in 1853, which underscored the limitations against emerging shell-firing and iron-armored opponents. By the late 1850s, navies worldwide prioritized ironclad designs, phasing out multi-deck wooden configurations in favor of casemate or turret-mounted artillery protected by metal plating.^[22]^[25]^[26]

Design and Features

Layout and Armament Configuration

The standard layout of a gun deck on Age of Sail warships positioned cannons along the length of the broadside, with guns typically arranged in rows parallel to the ship's centerline to maximize firepower during broadside engagements. Ports were cut into the hull sides at regular intervals to allow the guns to protrude for firing, while lids or shutters protected them in calm weather or when not in use. Lower gun decks, being closest to the waterline, housed the heaviest and longest-range calibers for stability and penetration power; for instance, on a typical 74-gun ship of the line, the lower deck mounted 28 32-pounder guns (14 per side), providing the primary punching force in battle.^[27]^[28] Upper decks carried lighter ordnance, such as 24- or 18-pounders, to maintain balance and allow for quicker reloading. Armament configurations varied by ship class and era, but multi-deck setups became common from the 17th century onward, enabling layered broadsides. Single-deck vessels like frigates often featured one continuous gun deck with 20 to 30 guns per side, while three-deckers like HMS Victory (1765) distributed armament across decks: 30 32-pounders on the lower gun deck, 28 24-pounders on the middle, and 30 12-pounders on the upper, totaling 104 guns including quarterdeck and forecastle pieces. Chase ports at the bow and stern allowed for forward- and aft-firing guns, typically lighter calibers like 9- or 12-pounders, to engage pursuing or fleeing enemies. By the late 18th century, gun carriages evolved to wheeled truck platforms with breeching lines and tackles for recoil management, standardizing after the 1700s and enabling guns to be run out efficiently through ports.^[8]^[29] Close-range armament supplemented long guns with carronades, short-barreled pieces introduced in 1779 for devastating effect at under 400 yards; on HMS Victory, for example, the quarterdeck and forecastle carried 42-pounder carronades alongside traditional cannons. Ports for these were often smaller and positioned higher to suit their compact design. Overall, configurations prioritized broadside weight—up to 1,000 pounds of shot per side on first-rates—while accommodating crew movement in confined spaces.^[29] Gun decks featured limited headroom of about 5 to 6 feet to optimize structural efficiency and lower the center of gravity, with hatches providing access for ammunition hoists from lower magazines to supply powder and shot directly to the guns. Ventilation relied on open ports and hatches during action, though smoke from firing often choked the space, necessitating design compromises for airflow without weakening the hull. These elements ensured rapid servicing of armaments, with crews of 10 to 14 men per gun maneuvering in the tight confines.^[30]^[31]

Construction Techniques and Materials

Gun decks in wooden warships of the Age of Sail were constructed using durable hardwoods to withstand the immense stresses imposed by heavy cannon fire, recoil, and seawater exposure. The primary material was oak, valued for its strength and resistance to warping, with planking typically laid over robust oak frames; for instance, lower gun deck beams measured approximately 16.5 inches square in British 74-gun ships of the line like HMS Colossus, while upper gun deck beams were similarly dimensioned to support armaments weighing up to several tons per cannon.^[32] From the 1760s onward, copper sheathing was applied to hull undersides, including areas adjacent to gun decks, to prevent marine borer damage and rot, extending ship service life significantly as pioneered by the Royal Navy.^[33] Construction techniques emphasized layered reinforcement and watertight assembly to maintain structural integrity amid cannon blasts. Decks featured thick planking—about 3 inches in English warships around 1710—laid in a single but substantial layer over beams, with seams caulked using oakum and pitch for watertightness; double framing systems, with inner and outer layers of timbers, further bolstered the hull to distribute recoil forces.^[12] Gun port coamings were heavily reinforced with additional oak strakes and clamps to resist blast pressures and prevent splintering, while diagonal riders—longitudinal braces up to 13.4 by 9.9 inches—provided essential strength against racking and hogging from gun recoil.^[12] Hanging and lodging knees, measuring up to 8.5 inches thick, were bolted to beams and frames to secure the deck against transverse stresses.^[32] Key innovations addressed mounting and balance issues inherent to heavy armaments. By the mid-1500s, trunnion-based gun mountings—integral cylindrical lugs cast on the barrel—enabled precise elevation adjustments via wedges, improving accuracy and reducing deck strain compared to earlier rope-suspended systems.^[34] Ballast adjustments, using stones or iron pigs shifted below the gun deck, countered the top-heavy weight of cannons (up to 5 tons for larger pieces like 42-pounders), ensuring stability during maneuvers.^[35] Lessons from the 1628 sinking of the Swedish warship Vasa, which highlighted instability from overloaded upper decks, prompted 18th-century shifts toward diagonal bracing and optimized ballast distribution in European navies to enhance longitudinal rigidity.^[36] Challenges like fire hazards and structural vulnerabilities were mitigated through practical measures. Decks were sanded to provide traction and absorb spills, while routine wet swabbing with seawater kept wood damp, reducing ignition risks from stray gunpowder and hot embers during battle.^[5] These techniques helped contain the rapid spread of flames in the confined, powder-laden environment of the gun deck.^[12]

Role in Warfare

Tactical Employment in Battles

In naval battles during the Age of Sail, gun decks were central to the core tactic of line-ahead formations, where ships aligned in a single file to deliver simultaneous broadsides while minimizing exposure of vulnerable bow and stern areas. This approach, formalized in the mid-17th century through fighting instructions, maximized the firepower of multiple gun decks, allowing a fleet to concentrate devastating volleys on an enemy's broadside.^[37]^[38] By crossing the enemy's "T"—positioning perpendicular to their line—commanders could engage with superior numbers of guns, as seen at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where HMS Victory's lower gun deck guns inflicted severe close-range damage on French ships like Redoutable, contributing to the capture or destruction of 19 enemy vessels.^[39]^[38] Firing procedures emphasized coordinated broadsides, with two primary methods: simultaneous volleys for maximum shock or rolling broadsides, where guns discharged sequentially from bow to stern to maintain ship stability and aim during the roll of the vessel. Under ideal conditions with trained crews, individual guns achieved a rate of fire of 1-2 shots per minute, though full broadsides typically cycled every 2-3 minutes due to reloading constraints.^[11] This sequential approach reduced recoil stress on the hull compared to all-at-once firing, preserving the structural integrity of gun deck reinforcements.^[40] Key battles highlighted gun deck superiority in diverse conditions. At Quiberon Bay in 1759, British ships under Admiral Hawke exploited poor weather and rocky shoals to close with the French fleet, using gun deck broadsides to shatter enemy formations despite high winds and limited maneuverability, securing a decisive victory that thwarted a French invasion of Britain.^[39]^[38] Similarly, during the Battle of the Nile in 1798, Nelson's squadron broke the anchored French line at Aboukir Bay, with gun decks delivering raking fire along the enemy hulls to devastating effect, sinking or capturing 11 of 13 French ships of the line.^[39] Adaptations included double-shotting—loading guns with two charges or balls—for enhanced raking fire, which targeted an enemy's length from bow or stern to maximize penetration through decks and crew. At Trafalgar, Victory employed double-shotted guns in its initial engagement, amplifying damage during the breakthrough of the enemy line.^[41] However, enclosed gun decks faced limitations from smoke accumulation, which obscured visibility and complicated elevation adjustments after each discharge, particularly in calm or downwind conditions where venting was poor. Windy weather exacerbated aiming instability but aided smoke dispersal, influencing tactical preferences for upwind positions.^[37]

Crew Operations and Challenges

The operation of a gun deck in Age of Sail warships required a highly organized crew structure, with each gun typically manned by 10 to 14 men divided into specialized roles to ensure efficient loading, firing, and maintenance. The gun captain directed the team, overseeing aiming and firing, while loaders rammed charges and shot into the barrel, spongers cleaned the muzzle to prevent accidental ignition, and powder monkeys—often young boys aged 12 to 14—fetched cartridges from the magazine to minimize fire risks below deck. Additional roles included handspike men for elevation adjustments and tackle handlers for running the gun in and out; on larger vessels like 74-gun ships of the line, a midshipman or lieutenant often supervised a division of several guns, with quarter-gunners assisting in maintenance across four guns each.^[5]^[42] Overall, the lower gun deck of a large ship could accommodate up to 300 crew members during action, drawn from the vessel's total complement of 600 to 800 sailors, allowing for simultaneous broadsides while reserving some hands for sail handling and damage control.^[27] Daily routines on the gun deck emphasized relentless training and upkeep to achieve rapid fire rates, with crews conducting drills using "exercise powder"—inert charges without live ammunition—to simulate battle conditions and hone speed, often aiming for three to four shots per minute per gun. Maintenance tasks included sponging and inspecting barrels to remove residue, oiling mechanisms, and securing guns with breechings and tackles when in port or rough seas to prevent shifting. The gunner, a warrant officer, oversaw powder inventory and cartridge preparation in the magazine, ensuring strict accountability to the Board of Ordnance, while the armorer maintained small arms integrated into deck operations. These practices were critical for readiness, as crews rotated watches to balance gun duties with sailing tasks, fostering a rhythm of discipline amid the ship's broader operations.^[43]^[42] Crew members faced severe challenges from the gun deck's confined, hazardous environment, where low ceilings—often under 6 feet—combined with acrid smoke from black powder to create choking conditions that obscured vision and irritated lungs during sustained fire. Prolonged exposure to powder residue contributed to chronic respiratory problems, exacerbating issues like catarrh and bronchitis in the damp, unventilated space, while the constant threat of misfires from lingering embers or faulty linstocks led to explosions injuring or killing gun crews outright. In intense battles, casualty rates from enemy shot, splinters, and accidental detonations could reach 20 to 50% on heavily engaged decks, as seen in actions like Trafalgar where ships lost significant portions of their lower-deck personnel to direct hits. Health risks extended beyond combat, with poor sanitation and overcrowding fostering diseases like typhus, compounded by the physical toll of hauling heavy guns in sweltering heat.^[44]^[45]^[43] Social dynamics on the gun deck reinforced a rigid hierarchy, with officers and midshipmen issuing commands from elevated positions, while marines—stationed amid the guns—enforced discipline through armed oversight to deter desertion or insubordination amid the chaos. This structure maintained order but bred tensions, as ordinary seamen endured flogging for errors like slow loading, yet shared a camaraderie born of shared peril, often sleeping in hammocks slung between guns that cluttered the deck during action and had to be stowed hastily. Powder monkeys, despite their vital role, faced particular vulnerabilities, sometimes including disguised women or children exposed to the deck's dangers without full protections.^[44]^[42]

Modern Interpretations

Slang Usage in Military Contexts

In military contexts, particularly within the U.S. Navy, the term "gun decking" or "to gun deck" refers to the practice of fabricating, altering, or falsifying reports, data, logs, or records to meet operational requirements or inspections without performing the actual work or verification.^[46] This slang encapsulates a form of administrative deception, often driven by time pressures, laziness, or the need to appear compliant, and it carries significant disciplinary implications if discovered.^[47] The phrase originated in the 19th-century U.S. Navy during the age of sail, when midshipmen conducted celestial navigation exercises on the gun deck—a lower deck historically used for both armament and quieter tasks away from officers' direct oversight.^[46] In poor weather conditions that obscured celestial sights, such as noon sun lines for latitude or star observations for longitude, midshipmen would sometimes shortcut the process by extrapolating ship positions using dead reckoning from the last known fix on the quarterdeck traverse board, then retroactively calculating their "sights" to match on the gun deck below.^[46] An alternative theory traces it to British warships' false "gundecks" below the upper deck, which carried no guns but were designed to mislead enemies about armament strength, symbolizing inherent falsification.^[46] This navigation-related etymology aligns with the gun deck's role as a space for midshipmen to work out positions privately, fostering opportunities for such shortcuts.^[46] While primarily a naval term, it has occasionally appeared in joint military contexts to describe similar falsifications in other branches, reflecting shared administrative challenges in large-scale operations.^[48] The slang persists in contemporary U.S. Navy jargon.^[46]

Cultural Depictions

In Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, spanning Master and Commander (1969) to the final volume in 2004, gun decks are depicted with meticulous detail during naval engagements, emphasizing the frenetic chaos of reloading and firing amid thick smoke and confined spaces on ships like HMS Sophie. These portrayals immerse readers in the sensory overload of battle, from the rumble of gun carriages to the shouts of crew members coordinating under pressure.^[49] Similarly, C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower novels, published from 1937 to 1967, illustrate gun deck operations through scenes of disciplined yet intense crew dynamics, such as in Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962), where the continuous din of firing guns, rumbling trucks, and bellowed orders conveys the orchestrated turmoil of combat. Forester's narratives focus on the interpersonal tensions and leadership demands among sailors manning the guns, highlighting the human element beneath the mechanical frenzy.^[50] The 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, adapted from O'Brian's works, brings gun deck battles to life in visceral sequences on the lower decks of HMS Surprise, portraying the raw physicality of broadsides and the crew's endurance amid splintering wood and cannon fire. These scenes underscore the perilous intimacy of shipboard warfare, with dim lighting and chaotic motion capturing the confined terror for the sailors. Documentaries exploring HMS Victory, such as detailed examinations of its decks, further visualize these environments through historical reconstructions, revealing the layered armaments and living quarters that defined 18th-century naval vessels.^[51]^[52]^[7] In popular culture, video games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) simulate gun deck combat via interactive boarding mechanics, where players navigate enemy vessels to engage swivel guns and crew in close-quarters fights, blending historical aesthetics with arcade-style action. Museum exhibits at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard reconstruct HMS Victory's gun decks, allowing visitors to walk the restored spaces and grasp the scale of armament and daily hardships through preserved cannons and interpretive displays.^[53]^[54]^[55] Overall, cultural depictions often romanticize gun decks as emblems of unyielding naval prowess and British imperial might, yet historical fiction and media also critique their inherent brutality, from the dehumanizing conditions to the psychological strain on crews, as seen across these literary and visual narratives.

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[36]
[PDF] Why The Vasa Sank: 10 Lessons Learned
After the 111-foot keel of the Vasa had been laid, King Gustav learned that a large ship with two gun decks was being built in Denmark. This resulted in an ...
[37]
[PDF] Historical Background - OAKTrust - Texas A&M University
gun deck so that all swung in unison as the ship rolled. ... Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail: War at Sea 1756 ... Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail: The Evolution ...
[38]
None
### Summary of Naval Warfare at Sea (Age of Sail)
[39]
[PDF] III 10 - GovInfo
... military doctrine employed during these decisive battles ... Naval Warfare in the Age cif Sail: The. Evolution ... (Lieutenant, French Navy), The Naval Battle: ...
[40]
[PDF] Battle Tactics and U.S. Naval History before World War I1
replace the gun as the dominant weapon of naval warfare was a strong argument for switching from line-ahead formation to line abreast, and for disposing the.
[41]
[PDF] The Cannon's Place in the Rise of the British Empire - DTIC
Jun 1, 2021 · 3 On the approach, Victory's gun crews loaded all cannons double-shotted for the initial engagement, including the carronades. Every gun ...
[42]
The Gunner and His Crew in Aubrey's Royal Navy - The Dear Surprise
As a Gunner, his responsibilities were considerable – the maintenance of all of the ship's great guns and small arms, the powder magazines.
[43]
[PDF] Trafalgar Tales - Royal Museums Greenwich
The gun crews wrote the words. “Victory or Death” in chalk on their gun barrels. Everything was cleared and made ready – nothing could get in the way. All had ...
[44]
Life at sea in the age of sail | Royal Museums Greenwich
Life at sea during the age of sail was filled with hardship. Sailors had to accept cramped conditions, disease, poor food and pay, and bad weather.Missing: gun smoky
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“Filth so foul and stench so offensive as not to be imagined ...
Dec 7, 2023 · The continuously moist conditions below deck literally bred diseases such as “ship's fever” (typhus) and typhoid, later followed by the new ...
[46]
Origin of Navy Terminology - Naval History and Heritage Command
In the modern Navy falsifying reports, records and the like is often referred to as "gundecking." The origin of the term is somewhat obscure, but at the risk of ...
[47]
19 terms only sailors will understand - WeAreTheMighty.com
Jan 4, 2023 · Gun decking. Filling out a log or form with imaginary data, usually done out of laziness or to satisfy an inspection. gun decking Photo: U.S. ...Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
[48]
AP: Some Stolen US Military Guns Used in Violent Crimes
Jun 16, 2021 · "Gun-decking" is Navy slang for faking work. In the case of the USS Comstock, gun-decking led to the disappearance of three pistols.
[49]
MASTER AND COMMANDER — CHAPTER FOUR - Press Gang
Jul 5, 2014 · It takes two pages to describe, in detail, the firing of number one gun. O'Brian takes it slowly for us, and we are grateful, believe me. Mowett ...
[50]
Hornblower and the Hotspur - Project Gutenberg Canada
Aug 19, 2017 · The din was continuous now, as guns fired, as the carriage-trucks rumbled over the deck, as gun-captains bellowed orders. ... Hornblower and the ...
[51]
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World - Roger Ebert
Rating 4/4 · Review by Roger EbertThere are only two major battle scenes in the movie (unless you count the storms of the cape as a battle with nature). This is not a movie that depends on ...
[52]
Hell or High Water – Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The ...
Apr 23, 2024 · That helped us differentiate those scenes from the ones that take place above decks. The gun deck was lit only through a few overhead grids ...
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Naval Combat Guide - Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Guide - IGN
Swivel Guns -- These guns can be used to take out small targets highlighted on an enemy ship in red and yellow. To see these targets, you must do some damage to ...
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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Review - Games Xtreme
Once the boarding has been engaged you can use the deck (swivel) gun to rake your opponents on the opposite side, or deal with the situation as you see fit.<|separator|>
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HMS Victory - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HMS Victory's story extends beyond Nelson. With a crew of over 800 men, learn how sailors lived and worked below deck during the height of the Georgian navy.