Double-shotted balls caused extensive damage as they penetrated wooden hulls, ricocheted, and threw splinters through the interior. The shorter effective range was acceptable when ships fought at close quarters. The estimate here puts that range at about a third of the usual distance. Chain shot served a different purpose: it was useful against masts, but less suitable for penetrating hulls.
Notable Point · 2:43:20-2:44:57
Double-shotting trades range for damage inside the hull
Close-range double-shotting increased penetration, ricochets, and splinter damage, while chain shot was better suited to attacking masts.