Chain shot

Chain-shot is a type of ammunition formed of two sub-calibre balls, or half-balls, chained together. They were used in naval warfare to shoot down yards, masts, or to cut the shrouds, or any other rigging of a ship. Chain shot was invented around 1665.

After leaving the muzzle, they would tumble in the air. This caused the chain shot to fully extend. As much as six feet of chain would sweep through the target. However, the tumbling made both bar and chain shot less accurate, so they were used at shorter ranges.

The cursed crew of the Black Pearl was known to employ chain-shot during battle. Pintel and Ragetti toppled the mast of the commandeered HMS Interceptor with chain-shot, rendering it dead in the water and trapping William Turner below decks. Captain Jack Sparrow's crew later used chain-shot against the cursed crew to knock the pirates overboard, allowing Sparrow to plunder their ship.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
 * Chain Reaction!