What is heated shot?
Q: What is heated shot?
A: Heated shot is the heating of round shot before firing from muzzle-loading cannons.
Q: Why is heated shot used?
A: The purpose of heated shot is for setting fire to enemy warships, buildings, or equipment.
Q: How far back does the use of heated shot date?
A: The use of hot shot dates back centuries.
Q: When was the use of heated shot stopped?
A: The use of heated shot was stopped when vessels armored with iron replaced wooden warships in the world's navies.
Q: Was heated shot mainly used on ships or on shore batteries and forts?
A: Heated shot was mainly used on shore batteries and forts, due to the need for a special furnace to heat the shot.
Q: Was the use of heated shot from a ship dangerous?
A: Yes, the use of heated shot from a ship was so dangerous that it was against Royal Navy regulations.
Q: Which ship had a shot furnace installed for hot shot to be fired?
A: The American ship USS Constitution had a shot furnace installed for hot shot to be fired.
