MetalTigerDudeTypical cannon balls did not explode. They skipped across the ground, destroying everything in their path. And that's much worse.
Exploding shells did exist, but their shorter range and somewhat unpredictable nature made them less useful than standard solid shot.
But the horrors of artillery only begins there.
Grape shot and canister shot - lots of tiny cannon balls fired at once. Like a big shotgun!
Chainshot - two pieces of shot linked by a chain. Good for ripping apart ships...and people!
Red Hot Shot - super heated cannon balls! Ouch!
And sometimes...you just shove a bunch of random shit in there. Glass. Nails. Bits of metal. Whatever you've got on hand.
Erotic Mythology ✊@MetalTigerDude Is this where the expression "hot shot" originates?
@AimeeMaroux you know...that's a good question. Looking at the etymology of the phrase, it's possible.
Apparently in the 1600s it meant someone who was foolish or reckless. So, not dissimilar to a ball of red hot metal.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/hotshot#:~:text=hotshot%20(n.),1600).
@MetalTigerDude They don't really go into the history of that particular expression, do they? But interesting to know that it used to mean someone foolish or reckless. A loose canon, maybe? ;-)