NewWorldTrader

I agree that this would be a cool idea if: 1.) The ship firing the heated cannonballs was in at least as much danger from fire as the ship being fired upon. This is due to the risks associated from having a burning forge on board being hit by cannon fire and moving the heated cannon balls from the forge to the cannons while under fire. Since having any fire on board a tar soaked wooden ship was extreme. And the powder monkeys getting hit or knocked down by fire from the opposing ship was also highly likely. 2.) You could dispatch damage control parties to put out any fires caused by the heated cannon balls, with an asscociated decrease in some other area of operations (sailing, cannon firing, sailing, etc). 3.) Potential for fire or explosion damage to any ship sailing too close to the ship when it explodes. I am aware that forts from time to time would use heated cannon balls, I am unaware of ships doing this. But, I'm far from an expert regarding this.