Kathyw Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 (edited) Cannon Balls It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on old war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem -- how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others.The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called a Monkey. But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make Brass Monkeys. Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey.Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, you thought that was a vulgar expression, didn't you? Edited September 21, 2008 by Kathyw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
incapuppy Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 And all this time, you thought that was a vulgar expression, didn't you? I did Thank you for the explanation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 guilty as charged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 Yup We've got some cannon balls in the back garden, but not enough to need a brass monkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melp Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 I never once thought it related to the other kind of balls. well not often anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 Thanks Kathy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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