A typical mortar used since half XVII up to end of XVIII century.This kind of gun was originally conceived to fight pirates based in north Africa: Alger, Tripoli, Tunis and disturbing Mediterranean sea commerce.The artillery pieces were fixed in pairs on the front of the ships, one for side, on specially conceived ships, called 'galeotte bombarda'.This 120tons battle ships, 23m x 7.6m, were designed and secretelly built in French (LeHavre and Danquerke), their names were Menacante, Brulante, Cruele, Bombarde and Foudoyante.Only in a later state this successful gun was used by English on a turning front platformt on their 'bomb ketches', generally used as an intimidation mean.

The mortar used 332mm ball projectiles, stone made (39kg) or iron made (150kg), and sometimes terrific iron balls filled with explosive and smaller iron balls.The powder charge was about 5kg.