WAR SHIPS
The most ancient warships were many-oared galleys, each ship requiring a large number of rowers for propulsion. These great rowing galleys were recognized for their offensive powers on boarding or ramming, and they were used in great numbers in the Mediterranean during naval battles that often helped determine victory. In the 16th Century the scene of naval activity changed, and ships and fleets took upon themselves a new form, one fit for ocean sailing and fighting.
The form of warships for several hundred years to come was determined in the 16th and 17th Centuries when oarpropulsion was replaced by arrays of sails and when cannons were mounted on ships. The standard fighting ship in the mighty English navy became the Galleon, a ship with two or three decks carrying its main cannons in the broadside and its lighter guns fore and aft.
It soon became evident that the ship that was powerful enough to be the mainstay of the fighting fleet was too large and slow to serve those functions that required speed and maneuverability. Thus during the 17th and 18th Centuries the warship evolved into two major types. The main fighting ships of the fleet were known as ships of the line; these ships were two or three-deckers with heavy broadside armament as well as heavy timbers in their walls to keep out enemy shots. The other main types were the Frigate, a one or two-decked vessel with a smaller caliber gun arrangement and the Corvette.
Most of the warships in the Old World Trading line consist of boats from the 16th to 19th Centuries. Many of these ships lie at the bottom of the ocean, but can be remembered in your private collection.
The most ancient warships were many-oared galleys, each ship requiring a large number of rowers for propulsion. These great rowing galleys were recognized for their offensive powers on boarding or ramming, and they were used in great numbers in the Mediterranean during naval battles that often helped determine victory. In the 16th Century the scene of naval activity changed, and ships and fleets took upon themselves a new form, one fit for ocean sailing and fighting.
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The form of warships for several hundred years to come was determined in the 16th and 17th Centuries when oarpropulsion was replaced by arrays of sails and when cannons were mounted on ships. The standard fighting ship in the mighty English navy became the Galleon, a ship with two or three decks carrying its main cannons in the broadside and its lighter guns fore and aft.
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It soon became evident that the ship that was powerful enough to be the mainstay of the fighting fleet was too large and slow to serve those functions that required speed and maneuverability. Thus during the 17th and 18th Centuries the warship evolved into two major types. The main fighting ships of the fleet were known as ships of the line; these ships were two or three-deckers with heavy broadside armament as well as heavy timbers in their walls to keep out enemy shots. The other main types were the Frigate, a one or two-decked vessel with a smaller caliber gun arrangement and the Corvette.
Most of the warships in the Old World Trading line consist of boats from the 16th to 19th Centuries. Many of these ships lie at the bottom of the ocean, but can be remembered in your private collection.
USS Constitution
w/Copper Hull
additional information.