THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRUCK GUN CARRIAGE: HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY, AND DESIGN

Abstract

Truck carriages represented the primary naval gun mounting of European and American navies throughout the Age of Sail. Developed during the early to mid-16th century, truck gun carriages were found upon armed ships for over three centuries. They allowed for gunners to control and aim their pieces, promoting the development of naval guns of increasing power. During the 19th century, the truck carriage became viewed as a stagnant medieval leftover that underwent little change. Some later scholars further propagated this belief. This thesis seeks to examine the truck carriage's place in the development of modern western navies, evaluate the nature of its design and construction development, and explore its presence in the archaeological record. The truck carriage developed from the concerted efforts of artillerists across Europe, developed in sophistication in tandem with naval administrations, and played a role in shaping the living and working space aboard warships. Numerous archaeological sites contain the remains of several types of gun carriage, providing ample material for further study. Through the development of a gun carriage database, statistical testing was undertaken to explore the nature of design change over time. This database suggests that the truck carriage underwent non-linear change in several of its basic proportions over the course of its lifetime, likely adapting to changing capabilities of naval cannon and increased industrialization.