Canister Shot
Physical Object
1986.008.1826a
Nuestra Señora de Atocha (1622)
circa 1620
This lead cylinder is embedded with assorted pieces of iron. It is thought that this piece is a sort of canister shot. In the sixteenth century, the Spanish used a type of shot called bodoques, which were lead balls with an embedded iron cube. The idea behind bodoques was that the iron would increase the penetration of the lead. If this piece is indeed shot, it appears to have been designed with the same principle in mind. 9.0 x 8.0 cm.