Carronade

Carronades (sometimes plainly called smashers) were a type of heavy naval firing piece looking like a short version of a cannon and a mortar turned to face foreward. The reason for the carronade being so short is; to lighten it so it doesn't make too much a burden for the ship, and to balance it with its very heavy shot and powder. Carronades range everywere between 32 lb to 68 lb shot. They are considerably easier to man, therefore require less hands to do it. They can generally only fire at pistol-range.