Use chain-shot, aim for the deck

From Create Your Own Story

At your command, Midnight's cannons unleash a storm of chain-shot at the other ship's deck. Most of the projectiles either fly too high or simply bounce off the galleon's floorboards. A few lucky shots here and there cause maybe half a dozen casualties, but chain-shot is far from the best kind of ammunition to kill individual crewmen.

You do not have the time to reload your cannons : the Portuguese galleon completes her maneuver and opens fire with her entire broadside, aiming for Midnight's hull. Your ship goes up in a deafening explosion. Then it's the cold water... then silence... then darkness.

THE END.