Mil. [f. Carron, near Falkirk in Scotland (where originally cast) + -ADE.] A short piece of ordnance, usually of large calibre, having a chamber for the powder like a mortar: chietly used on shipboard.
(Said in N. & Q., 5th Ser. II. 247 (1855) to be the invention of Gen. Robt. Melville.)
1779. Admiralty Minute, 16 July (MS. Record Off.). Experiments having lately been made … of the utility of small pieces of cannon called carronades, and the Comptroller of the Navy … having recommended the use of them.
1781. Gentl. Mag., LI. 485. Trials were made of an hundred pound carronade, mounted on a battery at Leith.
1809. Wellington, Lett., in Gurw., Disp., IV. 439. You have omitted to require carriages for the carronades.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple (1863), 131. Our large boats had carronades mounted in their bows.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 67. Carronades are a short description of ordnance without trunnions, but fastened by a loop under the reinforce.
1861. Smiles, Engineers, II. 61. The manufacture of carronades or ‘smashers’ at the Carron works.
attrib. 1833. Marryat, P. Simple (1863), 52. To take a seat upon the carronade slides.
