Why weren’t cannons on wooden ships aimed downwards to destroy the keel?

Question

I’m sure the answer will be obvious, but would have guessed sinking would have been beneficial over just destroying a ships sailing ability. At least from what I’ve been able to find.

In: 21

Answer 1

Ships were not easy to sink with the most common solid shot available then. The key was to cripple the ship’s ability fight. The wooden splinters caused by the shattering of wood were more lethal than the cannon itself. The main tactic was to disable the ship, then take it with a boarding action.