Just saw a program on the British cannons in the 16th century and they claim that the idea was brought from somewhere in Germany, whose model was better and had a longer reach than the Spanish version ( against whom they had to create new tactics ). I don´t remeber the name of the man who brought the knowledge but it was something like "Höffler" or the kind that had created the original principle and actually the British awarded the man with gold for the new excellent weapon. Anyone saw this document or know more of this?
The document as well says that the Royal navy victory was based on several things: faster ships, better long reaching cannons and new tactics which included the fire-ships.
The testing ground for the new cannons took place at Cadiz in 1587 when Sir Francis Drake destroyed the Sapnish supply ships thus preventing the Spanish Fleet attack for one year!
Drake on his raid:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/oldacademic...DrakeCadiz.htm
