They had to reposition standing rigging for it to fire?
Amen to those answers above. It was more a case of clearing the windward sheets to the jibs out of the way. Also we are not talking about the virtually continuous naval warfare of the 18th and early 19th century. Some of these vessels probably never fired their guns in anger, and it was the beginning of a long period of comparative peace in which painting, polishing and primping became more important than practicality.
Halland's book is a splendid effort to explain what it took a lifetime of experience to learn for the sailing ship seaman.
All the best
wadinga
