The following extract from an account of the furniture of the ship, called the “Harry Grace de Dieu,” will give a good idea of the state of the ordnance at the time of HenryVIII.:—Gonnes of Brasse.Gonnes of Yron.Cannons,Port pecys,Di. cannons,Slyngs,Culveryns,Di. slyngs,D. culveryns,Fowlers,Sakers,Baessys,Cannon perers,Toppe peces,Fawcons,Hayle shotte pecys,Hand gonnes complete.Another account of ancient English ordnance in Queen Elizabeth’s time, mentions thefollowing:—Bombards,Demi cannon,Sacar,Bombardilles,Cannon petre,Minion,Cannon royal,Culverin,Faulcon,Cannon,Basilisk,Falconet,Cannon serpentine,Demi culverin,Serpentine,Bastard cannon,Bastard culverin,Rabinet.ETYMOLOGIES.Cannon.—From the Latin wordcanna, signifying a tube or cane.Howitzer.—From the German wordhaubitz, (derived fromhaube, top of a furnace), in French,obus, orobusier.Carronade.—FromCarron Ironworks, near Stirling, where it was invented in the year 1774.Bombard.—From the Greek wordbombos, or noise.Bombardille.—A smaller kind of bombards.Basilisk.—The name of a snake.Culverin.—From the Frenchcouleuvrine, fromcouleuvre, a snake.Saker.—FromSaker, orSacre, a bird of the falcon species.Falcon.—From thebirdof that name.Cannon Perers.—Stone-throwers, from the French wordpierre, a stone.Toppe Peces.—To be used in the tops,i.e., the stands on the ship’s masts.Note.—The History of Artillery is mainly compiled from the following:—“Engines of War,” by Wilkinson; “Ancient Armour and Weapons in Europe,” by John Hewitt; “Military Antiquities,” by F. Grose; “Critical Inquiry into Ancient Armour,” by Meyrick; “Elementary Lectures on Artillery,” by Major C. H. Owen and Capt. T. L. Dames, R.A.; and “Our Engines of War,” by Capt. Jarvis, M.P., Royal Artillery.HISTORY OF PORTABLE FIRE-ARMS.
The following extract from an account of the furniture of the ship, called the “Harry Grace de Dieu,” will give a good idea of the state of the ordnance at the time of HenryVIII.:—
Another account of ancient English ordnance in Queen Elizabeth’s time, mentions thefollowing:—
Cannon.—From the Latin wordcanna, signifying a tube or cane.
Howitzer.—From the German wordhaubitz, (derived fromhaube, top of a furnace), in French,obus, orobusier.
Carronade.—FromCarron Ironworks, near Stirling, where it was invented in the year 1774.
Bombard.—From the Greek wordbombos, or noise.
Bombardille.—A smaller kind of bombards.
Basilisk.—The name of a snake.
Culverin.—From the Frenchcouleuvrine, fromcouleuvre, a snake.
Saker.—FromSaker, orSacre, a bird of the falcon species.
Falcon.—From thebirdof that name.
Cannon Perers.—Stone-throwers, from the French wordpierre, a stone.
Toppe Peces.—To be used in the tops,i.e., the stands on the ship’s masts.
Note.—The History of Artillery is mainly compiled from the following:—“Engines of War,” by Wilkinson; “Ancient Armour and Weapons in Europe,” by John Hewitt; “Military Antiquities,” by F. Grose; “Critical Inquiry into Ancient Armour,” by Meyrick; “Elementary Lectures on Artillery,” by Major C. H. Owen and Capt. T. L. Dames, R.A.; and “Our Engines of War,” by Capt. Jarvis, M.P., Royal Artillery.