[Courses for artillery after bourding.]
Againe, all that which hath beene spoken of the danger of the artillery
in bourding, it is not to be wrested nor interpreted, to cut of utterly
the use of all artillery after bourding, but rather I hold nothing more
convenient in shippes of warre, then fowlers and great bases in the cage
workes, and murderers in the cobridge heads; for that their execution
and speedie charging and discharging, is of great moment.[225]
[Disuses of engines of antiquitie.]
Many I know have left the use of them, and of sundry other preventions,
as of sherehookes, stones in their toppes, and arming them; pikebolts in
their wales, and divers other engines of antiquitie. But upon what
inducement, I cannot relate, unlesse it be because they never knew their
effects and benefit; and may no doubt be used without the inconveniences
before mentioned in great ordinance. As also such may be the occasion,
that without danger some of the great artillery may be used, and that
with great effect, which is in the discretion of the commanders and
their gunners, as hath beene formerly seene, and daily is experimented.
In the _Revenge_ of her Majesties good experience was made, who sunke
two of the Spanish armado lying abourd her.