Ammunition includes several types of shot. The largest of these are three cast iron cannon balls (A). They weigh from 8 to 10 pounds apiece and measure about 4.1 inches in diameter. These were the solid shot used in the eight-pounder cannons. Six smaller-sized balls (B) may have been shot for four-pounder cannons. They are about 2 inches in diameter.
Small iron (C) and lead (D) balls that are 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter came from the ship. They probably were used as grape or canister shot. Grape shot is a cluster of several small balls tied or wrapped with canvas in a bundle. Canister shot refers to small shot enclosed in a wooden or metal canister that burst open upon firing. Generally, lead was used for canister shot while iron was used for grape shot. The cannons recovered from the wreck could have fired both canister and grape shot.
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