The breech-loading cannons were set to fire in only one fixed direction and were of little use. |
Better guns, along with breech-loading, made possible both longer ranges and higher rates of fire. |
This coincided with rapid improvement in firearms, with breech-loading rifles replacing the musket. |
The other early sea-cannon, which we have mentioned, were also breech-loading. |
Enterprise was armed with two 100-pounder smoothbore, muzzle-loading Somerset cannon and two rifled 110-pounder breech-loading guns. |
Recoil systems and cartridge ammunition increased rates of fire of breech-loading weapons. |