10-31-2013, 03:22 PM
I was really saying that galleys are not primarily "sailing ships." They are primarily designed for oar-powered combat, and as a result are long, narrow and shallow. A long, narrow and shallow hull is not suited to coping with a press of sail with the wind from close to abeam, in that situation the galley will easily turn turtle. This is why there are so many records of Ancient fleets of warships being destroyed by storms. The Vikings also had this problem and had long shallow oar powered warships for use in the Baltic and for coastal raiding, but their long-range ocean-going sailing vessels, knarrs, had shorter wider-beamed and deeper hulls.
Of course the galley would only use its sails if the wind was favourable, it could always be rowed if the wind was coming from an unfavourable direction. In battle sails would not be used at all, so the advantage of a balanced rig for improved manoeuvrability would not apply.
Of course the galley would only use its sails if the wind was favourable, it could always be rowed if the wind was coming from an unfavourable direction. In battle sails would not be used at all, so the advantage of a balanced rig for improved manoeuvrability would not apply.
Martin
Fac me cocleario vomere!
Fac me cocleario vomere!
