Collingwood's opening rake used solid double shot because the immediate objective was to punch through Santa Ana's stern. Heavy balls travelling along the hull created lethal wooden splinters and damaged guns, structure, and crews deep inside the ship. Bar and chain shot were better suited to cutting rigging and preventing escape, while smaller projectiles could clear exposed decks. Ammunition choice expressed tactical purpose: first open the hull, then use other shot as the engagement required.
Notable Point · 3:28:19-3:30:26
Why Collingwood opened with solid double shot
Compare solid, bar, chain, and smaller shot by the damage each was meant to produce at different moments in a sailing battle.