Grapeshot

In artillery, a grapeshot is a type of ammunition that consists of a collection of smaller-caliber round shots packed tightly in a canvas bag[1] and separated from the gunpowder charge by a metal wadding, rather than being a single solid projectile.

On firing, the canvas wrapping disintegrates and the contained balls scatter out from the muzzle, giving a ballistic effect similar to a giant shotgun.

However, the effect was diminished due to a large portion of the crew being below decks and the addition of hammock netting in iron brackets intended to slow or stop smaller shot.

[3] Second, the shot was cast large enough to cut rigging, destroy spars and blocks, and puncture multiple sails.

[2] Langrage is a type of improvised round that uses chain links, nails, shards of glass, rocks or other similar objects as the projectiles.