Reply To: Ancient Ships

[zippyfusenet]

But they would be without oars?

I’d expect a couple pairs of sweeps to maneuver the vessel through tight places, but oars require oarsmen and a canny merchant captain would keep his crew small.

Of course if trade was to be pressed through hostile waters, that would require a fighting ship and crew, or a convoy with escorts. Bonhomme Richard was an East Indiaman. The King of France subsidized her construction as an auxiliary warship, and John Paul Jones took Serapis with her off Flamborough Head.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid!