How rolling affected sloop deck-gun fire

Did sloop deck guns fire on the upward roll, and how was the firing moment chosen?

The choice depended on range and aim point: the roll could add elevation for long shots or help point downward at close targets, while trained crews relied on the guns' rapid rate of fire.

The firing moment was not governed by one universal rule. For maximum range, a crew could exploit the ship's motion to gain elevation, whereas a closer target might be engaged when the roll pointed the weapon downward toward the hull. Range, desired aim point, sea state, and the gun crew's rhythm all mattered. Quick-firing 12-pounders could sustain roughly 15 to 20 rounds per minute, making training and ammunition handling as important as choosing a single ideal instant in the roll.