Crossbar shot

a projectile which folds into a sphere for loading, but on leaving the gun expands to a cross with a quarter ball at the end of each arm; - used in naval actions for cutting the enemy's rigging.

See also: Crossbar

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.
References in periodicals archive ?
It was the second crossbar shot in two nights for the Sharks; they've hit three posts and the two crossbars - solid shots, not nicks - in the last three games.
Worcester gets shut out; Monarchs simply best team in Atlantic Division
Schaefer had a couple of breaks on the crossbar shots, but overall played extremely well.
Scatter shots; Sharks bombard net, but can't score
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