Advice on a new weapon load out

[MikeCK]

Sailing an Essex. On previous ships I have always used long guns on the gun-deck with carronades on the weather deck because ALL other 5th rates only allow for 6lb cannons on the weather deck. I found 6lb cannons- for me- are all but usless over 100 yds as they bounce off everything. In close they don't do much damage (nor mediums either) and still ricochet off any angled hull. Because of this, I always used carronades on the weather deck so I could get good damage and penetration up really close at least.

Now however, my Essex can carry 12- 12lb medium/long cannons on the weather deck BUT, it also allows an upgrade for carronades....32lb carronades to be exact.

I had been using 32lb carronades which I figured would complement the longer range firepower of my 14-18lb long guns on the gun-deck. I'm finding though that out past 100 yards, I can't hit crap and even if I do, the carronade ball bounces if there is anything other than a 90 degree angle. From 50-100 yds, a broadside of 6 will see 3-4 hit because of the inherent inaccuracies of the carronade.

Should I go with 12- 12lb long guns or 12-32lb carronades? Keep in mind that I'm not a very good manual sailor nor am I very accurate

Edited October 25, 2016 by MikeCK

[maturin]

12-pdrs are worth it for damaging frigates. (It's totally unbalance and unrealistic that Essex can even mount them there.)

 

If you go with the carronades, you just turn them off unless it's point blank range.

[MikeCK]

I do turn off carronades unless I'm close in. I always fire them in seperate broadsides. But, like i said, I'm not a very good gunner. While you guys might be able to hit a ship at 250 with carronades, I can't. Takes me 3 shots or so to dial in so 50% gone. I can get them all in at 100 yards single fire...broadsides is a toss up.

I think I'll go for Maturins advice and carry the 12lbs. Realistic or not. I've read SOME material on the Essex but everything I read only mentions the 32lb carronades she carried. Nothing I found states the Cannon sized she COULD carry. Maybe what the British put on her but from what I understand, Americans liked to cram as many (heaviest possible) guns on a ship

[MikeCK]

Ok. When refitted with the 40 32lb carronades and 6 12lb guns, am I correct in assuming the 12lb cannons were on the weather deck? If so, is there any reason it couldn't use the admiralty established 18lb guns and those 12s on the weather deck? Or any evidence it could?

Edited October 26, 2016 by MikeCK