Cannon

large guns for hurling projectiles by means of explosives. Cannon were used by Edward III against the Scots in 1327; by the French against the Flemish in 1338; and by the English at the battle of Crecy and at the siege of Calais in 1346. The first cannon were built like a keg, of iron bars surrounded by hoops and iron rings. The first cannon balls were made of stone. Later a method of casting hollow canon was invented. In 1749 the French hit upon a method of casting cannon solid, and of boring them out afterward. Celebrated guns of American patterns are the Parrott, the Dahlgren, the Rodman, and the Gatling. Modern cannon are expected to throw their projectiles farther than the report can be heard. See Gun; Rifle; Artillery; Armstrong; Krupp; Gatling; Armor; Battleship