What is Heated shot?
[[File:Red-hot shot furnace.jpg|thumb|Mobile furnace, operated by the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]], in order to heat [[cannon]] shots (ca. 1860)]] '''Heated shot''' is the [[heating]] of round shot before firing from muzzle-loading [[cannon]]s. The purpose is for setting [[fire]] to enemy [[warship]]s, buildings, or equipment. The use of hot shot dates back [[centuries]]. It was stopped when vessels armored with [[iron]] replaced wooden warships in the world's navies. It was a powerful [[weapon]] against wooden warships, where fire was always a hazard. It was mainly used on shore batteries and forts, due to the need for a special [[furnace]] to heat the shot. The use of heated shot from a ship was so dangerous, that it was against [[Royal Navy]] regulations. The American ship [[USS Constitution|USS ''Constitution'']] had a shot furnace installed, for hot shot to be fired.<ref>{{cite book | last = Fitz-enz | first = David G.| title = Old Ironsides: Eagle of the Sea | publisher = Taylor | year = 2005 | location = | pages = 186 | isbn = 1-58979-160-6}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Ballistics]]