Gun Carriage

A gun carriage is the wooden cradle in which a cannon rests. Naval carriages in the early 18th century were made of two solid wooden cheeks and a bed, with solid axles and wheels (or trucks) to return the cannon to the gun port after firing recoil pushed it backwards. A wooden wedge called a quoin block was used to adjust the breech (back) of the cannon for aiming. Evidence of carriages from Queen Anne’s Revenge consists of capsquares, other iron tackle, rope, and one very small fragment of wood removed from the trunnion of one of the large cannon. Caqsquares are iron straps used to hold the trunnions of the cannon in place on the carriage. Other tackle includes hooks, rope, deadeye straps, and bolts used in both the structure and maneuvering of the carriage.