How to Fire a Cannon
Firing a cannon in the 1700s was a dangerous and complicated job. The Spanish and
British soldiers at the Castillo de San Marcos and at Fort Matanzas used these tools to
clean, load, and fire the cannons. See if you can tell by the shape and the English name
what each tool was used for. Write the Spanish name of each tool next to its description.
Then, number the steps in the correct order.
Powder Horn
(Polvorn)
Linstock Rammer Ladle Worm Sponge Vent Pick
(Botafuego) (Atacador) (Cuchara) (Sacatrapos) (Lanada) (Stiletto)
STEP
___________________ A cartridge made up of a cannon ball secured to a bag of gun powder is then
put into the barrel.. This tool is used to push it down.
1 ___________________ First, this tool is put into the cannon to get out any wadding that might still
be stuck in the barrel from the previous shot.
___________________ Next, fine powder is poured from this into the priming hole.
___________________ Sometimes, instead of using a cartridge, this tool is used to put a scoop of
powder into the barrel before the ball is loaded.
___________________ Everyone stands back, and this tool with a burning rope, is gently placed
on the priming hole.
___________________ Next, this tool is dipped lightly in water and put down the barrel to make
sure all sparks are out.
___________________ This dagger-like tool is stuck down the priming hole at the back of the
cannon to prick a hole in the cartridge bag.
TRY THIS-- Think of something you do every day, like brush your teeth or eat breakfast, and write down
every step in order, such as 1.Open cupboard door. 2.Take out box of cereal. 3.Put box on table. (etc.)
ANSWERS
How to Fire a Cannon
Firing a cannon in the 1700s was a dangerous and complicated job. The Spanish and
British soldiers at the Castillo de San Marcos and at Fort Matanzas used these tools to
clean, load, and fire the cannons. See if you can tell by the shape and the English name
what each tool was used for. Write the Spanish name of each tool next to its description.
Then, number the steps in the correct order.
Powder Horn
(Polvorn)
Linstock Rammer Ladle Worm Sponge Vent Pick
(Botafuego) (Atacador) (Cuchara) (Sacatrapos) (Lanada) (Stiletto)
STEP
3 ___Atacador______ A cartridge made up of a cannon ball secured to a bag of gun powder is
then put into the barrel.. This tool is used to push it down.
1 ___Sacatrapos____ First, this tool is put into the cannon to get out any wadding that might
still be stuck in the barrel from the previous shot.
6 ___Polvorn_______ Next, fine powder is poured from this into the priming hole.
4 ___Cuchara_______ Sometimes, instead of using a cartridge, this tool is used to put a scoop
of powder into the barrel before the ball is loaded.
___Botafuego_____ Everyone stands back, and this tool with a burning rope, is gently placed
7
on the priming hole.
2 ___Lanada________ Next, this tool is dipped lightly in water and put down the barrel to make
sure all sparks are out.
5 ___Stiletto________ This dagger-like tool is stuck down the priming hole at the back of the
cannon to prick a hole in the cartridge bag.
