Naval strategy

[Sir Beane]

Did they really?

How did they manage? Or were there many sinkings as a result?

On larger ships I think it was possible to use a small furnace on deck to heat some shot. I know that many ships carried such a furnace in order to repair metal weaponry. It was a time consuming process however, best suited for special operations such as attempting to set a fort on fire.

Carcass shells were hollow cannonballs with holes, stuffed with incendiary material. The carcass was then set alight, loaded into a cannon stuffed with rag, and fired. This was often untilised by warships attempting to burn a town or fort.