chain shot
Linked cannonball pair
Chain shot is a type of naval ammunition consisting of two cannonballs or half-balls connected by a chain.
When fired, the balls spread apart and spin, designed to shred sails and rigging or cut down masts and crew on enemy ships.
The weapon saw extensive use in Age of Sail naval warfare: The frigate's chain shot tore through our mainmast.
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- projectileLaunched airborne object
- cannon fireDischarge from heavy artillery
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
rigging · sail · mast · naval warfare · man of war · broadside · line of battle · naval battle · ballista · catapult · nautical · trebuchet · wreck · powder magazine · shrapnel · siege · round · siege tactics