Four cannon port lids were found at nearly regular intervals along the underside of the Dauphine's starboard side. Unlike those found on the Aimable Grenot, these lids are entirely made of oak. They are also taller (77 cm) than they are wide (70 cm), whereas those from the Aimable Grenot are larger and square-shaped (81 x 81 cm).
The Dauphine's lids consist of two layers of planks: an outer, horizontal layer and an inner layer of vertical planks. This is consistent with the practice described by the French shipwright Blaise Ollivier in 1736: "…the port lids are composed of two sections, the lid lining and the lid planking. The former are laid vertically side to side and represent two-fifths of the thickness of the lid. The lid planking is placed on the outside of the lining, and is laid parallel to the length of the vessel…"
The dimensions of the Dauphine's port lids, taller than they are wide, are relatively unusual, whether one considers those found in archaeological contexts or the recommendations given in the various treatises from the period. It is possible that the shipwright was attempting to widen the angle of fire because the first deck was rather high in the hull but there is nothing to substantiate this.
