Cannon Blast History Podcast

Benjamin Schaffer•podcasters.spotify.com

Welcome to Cannon Blast! With your especially nerdy host Ben Schaffer--a holder of a Ph.D. in early American and naval history--come learn about various interesting and under-studied topics from early North America. This podcast is produced by a scholar for a general audience. Don't worry, I won't assign exams.

Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 11:32 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 6: Pirates pretending to be Navies

We’re back after 2 years! On this special return episode, we talk about how pirates in the golden age of piracy (c. 1660-1730) got away with imitating Royal Navy pirate hunters. It’s giving Mission Impossible meets Pirates of the Caribbean! Sources: Ed Fox “Jolly Rogers: The True History of Pirate Flags” (Fox Historical, 2015), Benerson Little “The Sea Rover’s Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730”(UNE Press 2005), Amy Miller, “Dressed to Kill: British Naval Uniforms, Masculinity, a...

Jul 04, 2023•24 min•Ep. 6

Episode 5: Black Sailors in the S.C. Colonial Navy, 1700-1742

An episode based on one of the most interesting episodes in my dissertation research: the ways in which black sailors took part in the naval defense of a South Carolina in the early eighteenth century. They fought for a colony that did not appreciate their service or sacrifice. Nevertheless, they used their naval service as an avenue to resist the slavocracy they fought under the flag of. Song is royalty free, and is called "Pirates" by artist John Sib. Found at Pixabay.

Aug 21, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 1

Ep. 4 Boston Smallpox Epidemic of 1721, and Inoculation Debates

What can we learn from virulent smallpox inoculation debates in 1721 Boston, especially when we will be having coronavirus vaccination debates exactly 300 years to the date in 2021? Let's find out in this final episode of Season One! No copyright infringement intended for either musical selection 'Three Little Drummers,' or 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' (by Henry Burr), both of which were gotten from the Free Music Archive.

Dec 08, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode 3: Pirates and Pop Culture

On today's episode, I have an informal discussion with my friend Adam Morrow, the 'captain' behind the pirate persona/educational page: "Shipwrecked with Captain Marrow." We talk pirates, pop culture, and how piracy is still relevant today. Super informal but was super fun to make! Check out his page where serves up daily facts about the Golden Age of Piracy at: https://www.facebook.com/Shipwrecked-with-Captain-Marrow-105133584375424

Oct 19, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Episode 2: 'Ben Franklin and the Origins of the American Navy'

What role did Ben Franklin's early years play in the formation of the U.S. Navy? Find out on today's podcast! -Music sources: Intro "Three Little Drummers from the George Washington Show by" The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is licensed under a Public Domain Mark 1.0 License , Source: Free Music Archive. -'Anchors Aweigh' free MP3 from navy.mil....

Mar 14, 2020•34 min

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