Throwing a Biscuit: Artillery at Sea(1630-1730) | Pirate Weaponry

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In my previous video, I covered how naval guns were operated during the Age of Sail. In this video, we'll take a look at how pirates actually used them. One of my commenters asked me why I didn't go more into how the guns were actually used tactically, in comparison to their media coverage. Well, media basically got everything wrong.
Modern sources
Warfare at Sea, 1500-1650 - Jan Glete
The Sea Rover's Practice - Benerson Little
www.qaronline.org/conservatio...
www.qaronline.org/blog/2020-0...
Period sources
The Sea-Man's Grammar - Cpt. John Smith
A Cruising Voyage Round the World - Cpt. Woodes Rogers
Les Travaux de Mars - Alain Manesson Mallet
A Privateer's Voyage Round the World - George Shelvocke
The Seaman's Made Vecum - William Mountaine
The Memoirs of Pere Labat - Jean-Bapsite Labat
The Sea-Gunner - John Seller
Journal de Bord d'un Flibustier(1686-1693) - Francois Massertie
An Universal Dictionary of the Marine - William Falconer
The Sailing and Fighting Instructions - Jonathan Greenwood
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:25 Gun types
3:12 Damage
4:56 Broadsides
6:45 Briefly on ammo
9:12 Other uses
10:11 Non-violent uses
12:33 Other artillery
#history #cannons #pirates #privateers #goldandgunpowder

[@CrayonosaurusRex]

In the military, they taught us how to use our lighter, 60mm mortars in a "handheld" more, where we remove it from the bigger base and legs, and use it like a big, shorter range grenade launcher 16:12

[@justsomedude5727]

Just discovered this channel, no pun intended its a gold mine. Pirates of the Carribean came out when I was like 5 and led me to becoming obsessed with pirates as a kid.

[@buckplug2423]

Reminds me of how US soldiers and Marines in the PTO, World War 2 would use the light 50 mm Japanese mortar known as the knee mortar by literally putting the curved plate against their thigh or knee and firing. Many femurs were broken to realise the term "knee mortar" wasn't supposed to be taken literally.

[@jl88570]

Excellent work man. Don't stop. You are teaching so many things about pirates that I had no idea for. Although I really like them since I was 6 years old.

[@chippysteve4524]

Fascinating stuff. Driving a nail into the fuse hole on a gun was also called "Spiking the gun(s)" I believe/according to Lindy Beige in his video about Gibraltar.

[@johnglover489]

Surrender of a target or plunder was of much greater importance than sinking an enemy. Sunken ship was a major if not total loss.

[@alexrexaros9837]

Its so much more interesting to hear about real battles and how they really went down rather than just doing the usual "broadside go boom" type of stuff. It sounds so much more strategic. I wish Total War did a game based on the Age of Sail.

[@alexrexaros9837]

@@shakes.dontknowwhatyergettin And that was the last time they ever nailed Naval Combat. Because afterwards they decided to become cheapstakes.

[@michimatsch5862]

@@alexrexaros9837 Eh, in Rome 2, particularly with the DEI mod the naval battles do broadly work as they would have had but a lot of people don't enjoy it (I do like them, actually).

[@gwanael34]

@@alexrexaros9837 Shogun 2 Fall of the Samurai did try.

[@akdele5]

@@michimatsch5862 TW games starting from Rome 2 are ass

[@Piratesjunior]

I was eating ship biskit while watching this ...

[@HornyIndianMan]

ITS ALL ABOUT THE SHE SAID SEA BREAD BULLSHIT!

[@gtbkts]

I hope you soaked it in grog for 10 mins, or you'll lose your teeth. 😂😅

[@Piratesjunior]

@@gtbktsobviously I need to😂

[@Russo-Delenda-Est]

"Clack clack"

[@evankimori]

"Was." Now he dead!

[@blackhawkdown342]

The idea of a broadside sounds good because of the effect it produces for the spectators and I think there's a lot of conflation about land battles of this time period with sea battles. There's also a tendency of modern media to favor battles over intimidation, even when it comes to pirates. Great video and i cannot wait for the video on the swivel gun!

[@contentdeleted6428]

The guns often did not have enough depression to fire at the lower part of a ship, so you needed a greater distance in order to arc the shot that it lands below the see line but the poor aerodynamics of the projectiles of the time combined with the high density of water caused the round to lose almost all penetrating power so that it was not able to punch through the wood under water. That's why cannons were aimed at the upper hull to atleast cause some damage. And guns with longer barrels did not necessarily have better accuracy, that's true but a longer barrel allows the expanding gases to keep accelerating rounds for longer, granting higher velocities, penetrating power and perceived accuracy. Even the people at the time understood it. That's why muskets are very long compared to modern or even early modern rifles.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Yes

[@mine3160]

This chanel is so underrated

[@loganw1232]

Definitely

[@WorldArchivist]

Excellent work, this has become my go-to channel for this era.

[@CamelOfAll]

Love the explosion sound effects 👌

[@seamsmilex3291]

I am a writer, and I wanted to write a pirate fiction. And I just found the perfect channel to help me portail Pirates better. Subscribed!

[@benperry1100]

Share your story!

[@seamsmilex3291]

@@benperry1100 It's about a lady pirate (already inaccurate.) Who saves a missing prince for his bounty, they eventually become friends and have adventures together. Eventually the lady pirate gets arrested by the prince's mother (The queen) and is nearly executed before the prince saves her and they seal off into the sunset.

[@laurasmith7987]

Good job on 20K

[@sweetnerevar7030]

I can’t express just how much your videos have helped me with my writing

[@ShinjiTheBaka]

This channel is such a great resiurce for pirates during 1630-1730

[@FormativeMule]

Comment for the algorithm! Love your channel. I've recently been inspired to make a low-fantasy pirate video game, and your attention to detail and statistics will be a lifesaver when I get to implementing the stats of weapons/weights/ misc. physics, as well as modeling. When I have enough supporters in years to come, you can bet your ass I'm joining your patreon

[@nicolasnamed]

I just found your channel, and I have to say this is a great resource and I've really enjoyed your videos thus far! While I don't always 1:1 agree with some of your conclusions, the facts are all there and it's really valuable to have the known information out there for people to find. I personally am someone who loves both history and romantacized storytelling, and I think space for both can exist as long as we take the time to learn the real history. I'm currently working on a d&d campaign for my friends that takes place in an age of piracy, but in a fantasy world with all different places and peoples, human and non-human. I feel like, because I know the history, I can create fiction that captures that romantic spirit without imposing on actual history or lessening it's horrors in depiction. It's been tough though! It takes a lot of consideration to create a world that is like that in the age of sail, and even more to not just do "Colonialism 2: There's magic now" It's been really coming together, and this channel is as much a resource for what I don't want to put in my setting as well as what I do. So thank you for helping inspire me! In the midst of many with romantic or spiritual notions, it is always crucial to have people like you who are solely interested in the history and willing to provide it, and push back on myths and assumptions. You remind me of one of the best Norse culture and mythology related channels, Dr. Jackson Crawford, who's been indispensable in sharing the truth of what is known in that field. I'm sure you're familiar with people who fall into similar pitfalls on the topic, defaulting to fiction and pop culture rather than the history we do have to learn from. Anyway I know that was a ramble but hey your channel made me have a lot of thoughts! Thank you for being so passionate on this topic from the historical side of things, as it in turn allows my creativity to flourish as I explore the "What if?"s in the fiction I create.😊❤

[@rancor6858]

another great video. thank you again

[@paulsteele8614]

Great video, helping the algorithm

[@owgdj]

I like just found your channel and I love it

[@snigie1]

Also, any shot hitting the water is slowed dramatically. People saw saving private Ryan and think that's how bullets act underwater whereas they forget water can't be compressed and bullets come to a dramatic stop.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Yeah

[@fixthisdog]

About to start reading a new voyage round the world, thanks for your videos

[@lionpick7913]

5:38 peak immersion

[@ravenb3048]

Most excellent!

[@Ziddings]

The sound effects at 5.37 made me laugh, good video

[@FelipeJaquez]

I decided to look further into the comment in this video about massive broadsides being an "idiot move" and it appears while full broadsides were used occasionally it was usually for intimidation or by untrained crews. It was used very sparingly as well due to the stress it caused to the ship, inaccuracy of shots, and low fire rate. Rolling broadsides were the norm in all engagements due to it rectifying all the problems mentioned above.

[@mimzy4319]

Love the channel. I'm here because I play a lot of Sea of Thieves.

[@Anaris10]

Good Stuff!.

[@timkbirchico8542]

a biscuits throw is also a good range for smaller guns, like wait until you see the whites of their eyes. hardtack could probably have been thrown a good distance by a salty seadog.

[@balazsvarga1823]

Great videos. A tangent, but the space fantasy game warhammer had the rolling broadside and falconet, carronade amd culverin, now I know where they got the words from.

[@GnohmPolaeon.B.OniShartz]

Oh, these pirates are making me nervous. If they don't back off I might have to toss a biscuit.

[@yoke-munchan1813]

The cost and limited stocks of gunpowder were another reason for slack gunnery.

[@jordanmagpiebullet7978]

Amazing job Captain keep them coming and can you do a video on office & captain clothing of the golden age of piracy? Also I’m making my on pirate flag as will if you want I can make you one as will if you want one

[@TexasNationalist1836]

5:38 the original A-10

[@ILoveFilm247]

I wonder if the reason privateers didn't drill their crews as much was less because of laziness and more because of the cost of the shot and powder for training.

[@HalfKaztBoy]

Interesting video. I could imagine a broadside firing all at once could potentially damage the frame work of the ship if done enough times.

[@robomonkey1018]

A drach just for pirates? Im in.

[@falloutpropguy]

Get off work log into KZbin see golden gunpowder uploaded a new video today is a good day

[@GoldandGunpowder]

please, enjoy

[@falloutpropguy]

@@GoldandGunpowder you are genuinely my favorite KZbin channel do you have an Instagram as well?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

sorry I don't :(

[@mageillus]

20k LETS GOOOOOO!!!!

[@merafirewing6591]

Let's hope he reaches to 100k subs.

[@noone4700]

In reference to the broadside technique being ridiculous, I thought the broadside was like a gradually firing down the line not an immediate discharge of all cannon

[@NEEJER]

Great channel, who is your most favourite pirate?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Bartholomew Sharp

[@montanelas6716]

In the batle of Diu (1509) the portuguese flagship fired so many shots that it was at risk of sinking 💀

[@insertyournamehere4328]

If my memory was correct, the first Bomb Ketch was developed by French around -mid-18th century- only to bombard enemy land targets. They couldn’t operate independently and always required tender ships for resupplying the mortar shells. Additionally they were said slow, hard to maneuver and had almost zero anti-ship capabilities. Basically Bomb Ketch were designated military siege vessels and definitely they weren’t the ships which pirates were interested in or were able to handle, btw P.S. I was wrong, the first Bomb Ketch was _La Bombarde_ , launched in 1682 at Dunkerque, according to Thee Decks. Sorry

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Yes but bomb vessels were around earlier than the mid-18th

[@cr0sad3r70]

Matpat and Gold and Gunpowder are a bit similar. They destroy your childhood.

[@MrAvidOutdoorsman]

Shiver me timbers

[@timkbirchico8542]

strikes under the water line would only breach the hull when the enemy ship was tilting to expose the hull below the waterline. Otherwise the water would absorb the impact of the cannonball.

[@unknowntrooper_2791]

Great look into the topic with a lot of interesting examples and sources. BTW strange that a description of a battle in 1697 included mention of mortars. This was the fight between Dorrill and Mocha (found in Pirates in their own words page 352 (the documents starts, the mention is in page 359), but these were mentioned as just "two small mortars", so it does not really change the overall picture. Anyway, very clear look at the artillery, I learned a lot myself. Also big congrats for the subs. May the numbers still rise! Cheers! 🏴‍☠

[@StrakanDocrusReakal]

I think in total war empire, the ships do perform a rolling barrage and a phone game set on pirates in the carribean also displays a rolling barrage. Another phone game called noble 1896 also doesn't have all ships guns fire all at once, a few might fire at the same time but the rest are spaced out. But i think all three of these examples are still all fired too quickly.

[@ndlmous]

If I remember to buy the time I have time to do so I want to sample your Cannon sound effects to make a BackBeat

[@thebigsandvich6924]

Random question but I've heard said that, during the raid on the mughal convoy, avery ordered his cannons on the gunsway, destroying one of her masts and allowing his boarding. I've also heard that one of the Gunsway's guns malfunctioned, causing an explosion on the gun deck. Is there any evidence to back up these stories? Great video btw, I cannot praise ur channel enough.

[@GoldandGunpowder]

I've heard about these anecdotes but I've never read seriously about Avery or his attack on the Gunsway

[@dozenbuzzard2662]

Wow i never knew thst ships of the line sid ai k eachother but foght like land battle slug em out till they give up or retreat

[@ION400]

This is well done. but I'm curious as to how longer gun barrels did not improve range and accuracy?

[@CosplayZine]

He said it improved range and velocity a bit. But not accuracy because only the type of bullet and the grooves in a barrel can make something shoot with more precision/accuracy. Something I learned over the years playing paintball. The longer barrel simply holds the ball/bullet longer and in this case allows it to hold a bit more fire power but otherwise can make it less accurate since of course a bullet comes out of a gun faster if the barrel is smaller. But of course if the barrel can hold more pounder etc then it may not be negatively effected by the barrel extension.

[@CosplayZine]

*Powder

[@ION400]

@@CosplayZine Alf!

[@9000leo]

I speculation is they might loot big guns, but worth more to sell them than to mount them...im sure big guns worth a lot

[@Ghastly_Grinner]

I don't see why Chase guns being longer wouldn't give them extra range accuracy and Power. The longer the barrel the more time the powder gets to burn building more pressure. It's why an 20 inch AR 15 is better than a 16 inch.

[@user-dg8uh5gj1c]

It would have gone like... DUNG, DUNG, DUNG. NOT DWOOOOORGKKK

[@timkbirchico8542]

chain and bar at the rigging is more like. disable and board, not destroy. then if its a good ship sell it or use it for your flagship.

[@user-qm8zi8zq6v]

Wouldn't the wheels on a cannon take in the recoil of a broadside firing all its guns?

[@Captain_Cinnamon]

Short question. How did the gunner time shots? Did he shout fire when the ship was heeling up or down on the gun side?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Yes the firing of a gun was timed by the one responsible for the gun based on the movements of the ship and enemy. There doesn't seem to have been any particular method to it. Manuals mostly just describe how to shoot a gun point blank

[@Captain_Cinnamon]

@@GoldandGunpowder so, basically at the gunner's delight. That is interesting

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Movies: " Yes our one tiny gun just made that guy explode imagine that" Reality: " OK so we shot HOW MANY shots? Yeah we're out of ammo..let's get our of here"

[@anthonycollora2921]

John Paul jones ship had 20 guns all of them were 4 pounders

[@joshuaserrano8807]

Question, what type of cannons are the ones found in Sea of Thieves?

[@mrwhips3623]

Semi automatic assault weapons

[@joshuaserrano8807]

@@mrwhips3623 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

Um the swell or waves in the ocean rose the ships up enough to make holes below the water line ,an when the wave went by the ship settled back down an that's when spthey start leaking ,,but most of the time the maine sail or masts were aimed for taking the power an maneuverability away from the, ,dead in the water

[@Fred-rj3er]

Brass is bronze with tin added. It is stronger than bronze

[@rusty_from_earth9577]

Did pirates ever use “Quaker guns” (logs painted black to look like cannons) as intimidation?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

yeah I have a short about them: kzbin.infoGj5CBg645CI?feature=share

[@t.b.5115]

Chuck a wobbly

[@nothanks9503]

In black flag they actually do go off 1 at a time but very quickly

[@Agentcoolguy1]

Wait, how does the increased barrel length of chase guns not increase the range of the shot? Having a longer barrel on a firearm increases muzzle velocity, thus increasing effective range. Why does this not apply to chase guns?

[@lionofthemorning7997]

I would love to see you detail my favorite ship & pirate. Black Sam Bellamy, The Whydah, & the Witch of Wellfleet. Do this, please.

[@elshebactm6769]

🗿👍🏿

[@corvus9289]

Are you a Redleg in real life, by chance?

[@muriwangul.chinyerere5381]

thum thum thum thum....

[@erickdupont4503]

Sorry friend but Devil’s Treasure is not the name of the movie you are showing clips of. That was most certainly Treasure Island with Charleston Heston. That’s Flint’s gunner and his cronies hauling up a gun to blast Captain Smallet and crew in the island. 😮

[@GoldandGunpowder]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island_(1990_film) "The film was an original production filmed and aired by the TNT network, and was also released theatrically outside the US. The title has appeared on some covers as "Devils Treasure", rather than "Treasure Island"."

[@josephrocker5366]

Did pirates do any plant based drugs?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

tobacco

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

Toss, not throw.

[@joaog.9497]

Question,why didn't they use flintlocks to fire cannons in the 1600s like the RN did in the late 1700s and 1800s? Was the technology more expensive or difficult to use in the 1600s?

[@GoldandGunpowder]

Flintlock pistols were vastly superior to alternative pistols. Matchlock pistols were incredibly cumbersome and ineffective, wheellock pistols performed well but were expensive. So they were the first flintlock arm to be widely adopted, by the mid 1600s. Flintlock muskets were superior to matchlock muskets. They were the second flintlock arm to be widely adopted, by the early 1700s. Flintlock cannons were only slightly superior to touch-hole cannons. They were the last flintlock arm to be widely adopted, by the late 1700s. You couldn't easily install a flintlock on a cannon, you had to make a new cannon, whereas a pistol or musket could easily have a new lock installed, or was cheaper to remake. See the pattern? It's about balancing relative effectiveness with expenses and other factors.

[@joaog.9497]

@@GoldandGunpowder thank you for the answer :D

[@donaldhysa4836]

12:45 hmmm actually yeah it is in fact true that longer barrels provide more range than accuracy. Thats why why soldiers today go in battle with rifles not short barrel pistols.

[@donaldhysa4836]

You mean to tell me if you were a merchant you could possibly be immune to pirate attacks just because you could outrange any smartass pirates who thought cannons were overrated? Their muskets may have been cheaper but they could never outrange even the lightest naval guns so you could potentially keep them at bay just with a couple of cannons, if they had no cannons themselves. Seems kind of stupid to shun cannons when you think about it. And I am not too sure the recoil of firing guns could destabilize the ship here. Cannons were not fixed in place the recoil would push them inside when firing most of the energy would not be actually transfered into the ship. Unless thats another myth you could tell us about?