Charles Gascoigne

The development of the carronade, a shortened naval cannon nicknamed the Smasher, defined the technical career of Charles Gascoigne. A versatile figure in the early Industrial Revolution, he moved from managing Scottish ironworks to overseeing the expansion of metallurgy and arms manufacturing within the Russian Empire during the final two decades of his life.

Early Career and Ironworks Management

Born in 1737, Gascoigne gained early experience through the British East India Company and as a drysalter in London. In 1765, he became a partner at the Carron Company, an ironworks firm co-founded by his father-in-law, Samuel Garbett. By 1769, Gascoigne assumed the role of managing partner, inheriting a company plagued by poor product quality and fluctuating financial fortunes. Despite his efforts to implement production improvements, the firm faced significant setbacks, including the loss of a major Royal Navy contract in 1773 due to substandard armament manufacturing.

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Engineering the Carronade

Gascoigne persisted in military technology, spearheading the creation of the carronade between 1769 and 1779. This weapon differed from standard long guns through its significantly shorter barrel and reduced weight, which allowed naval vessels to carry larger batteries. Its efficiency in close-range broadside combat secured its adoption by the Royal Navy in 1779. The weapon remained in production through the 1850s, eventually being supplied to various international governments, including those active during the War of 1812.

Service in the Russian Empire

Following financial failure in Britain, Gascoigne traveled to Russia in 1786 to modernize the Aleksandrovsky foundry in Kronstadt. He remained in the country for twenty years, serving as a State Councillor and managing mines and foundries throughout Karelia and Petrozavodsk. His contributions included refining cannon production techniques and installing early machine presses at the Saint Petersburg Mint. In 1795, he oversaw the founding of the industrial city of Luhansk.

Honours and Legacy

Known in Russia as Karl Karlovich Gaskoin, his administrative and technical work earned him several state recognitions, including the Order of St. Vladimir (3rd and 4th classes) and the Order of Saint Anna (1st and 2nd classes). He died in Kolpino in 1806 and was buried in Petrozavodsk. His personal life included three daughters from his first marriage to Mary Garbett and a second marriage in 1797 to Anastasia Jessie Guthrie.