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English: Carronade Iron Cannon. The barrel of this cannon measure 43" and is deeply chiselled at the breach "4-0-13" for its weight of 4cwt 13lbs. At the time of manufacture c. 1800, this was standard practice. The cannon is bored as a 6 pounder - 6lb iron ball / 3.6" diameter.

The mounting is on a contemporary iron garrison carriage which brings the overall length to 50". The carriage weight 2cwt bringing the overall weight to 6cwt 13lbs.

The carriage is stepped and pierced with capstan screw elevating gear, trunnion caps, pierced iron wheels and hauling rings.

So-called from the first examples being manufactured by the Carron Iron Company of Falkirk, Scotland, this cannon was a form of gun-howitzer, short and light in relation to the calibre. It usually had no trunnions, being supported by a heavy loop on the underside through which passed a bolt securing it to two corresponding loops on the mounting.

The design has been attributed to Charles Gascoine, manager of the Carron Company, who produced the first guns in 1778 and for a short while was known as the "gasconaded". Other claimants were General Robert Melville and Patrick Miller, an Edinburgh banker, both of whom were certainly associated with the development of the carronade.

The carronade was introduced into British service in 1779 and was eventually produced in sizes up to a 68-pounder. While naval warfare was conducted at short range it was an effective weapon living up to its nickname "The Smasher". However, by c. 1870 the improvement in the performance of the normal design of gun rendered the carronade obsolete.

Shanklin Chine, Isle of Wight, England.