Cannons

A cannon is a piece of artillery that launches a projectile, but these pieces can vary greatly. Like gunpowder, they were first invented in China, where early ones were handheld. Ming Dynasty ships had bronze cannons mounted on them.The first ones used in Europe came in the 11th century in Iberia. During the Middle Ages, the cannon became more standardized.

The weapon also changed naval battles during the Renaissance Period, when they outfitted ships. After rifling became commonplace (see earlier blog on the Kentucky Rifle for more about rifling), the cannon also became more accurate and deadlier. 

Early in the War for American Independence, the British had laid siege to Boston. Henry Knox, a 25-year old Patriot officer and former book seller suggested that cannons might make the

difference, so George Washington sent him to the recently captured fort at Ticonderoga, New York, to get the 59 cannons and bring them to Boston. Due to the harsh weather, it wasn't an easy task. Knox and his men moved the heavy artillery 300 miles in 56 days using oxen and ice sledges. On January 25, 1776, he arrived outside of Boston. It took even longer for the gunpowder for the cannons to arrive. The British withdrew their forces and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on March 17.

Cannons were used extensively by both sides in the American Civil War. In World War I, most of the combat fatalities came from such artillery, and they continued to be widely used in World War II. Only the modern development of missiles have caused a decline.

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