03-25-2014, 04:41 PM
I have no details on size of the transports but during Caesar's first invasion of Britain in 55BC, which was hastily organized he commandeered roughly 100 ships from the territory of the Morini to act as transports. Eighteen of these were readied to carry his cavalry which was about 500 men and horses strong so just on my rough calculations thats 28 horses per ship. (Gallic War 4.21) and about 80 ships to transport 2 legions so if 10,000 men then about 125 men per ship. These were accompanied by various warships but invasion was a disaster as some transports were driven back by unfavourable winds and the ones that made it had to anchor some distance offshore so on his next invasion they used modified ships which Caesar personally designed. They were broader, had a lower freeboard and were powered by both oar and sail. This information from 'Roman Britain and the Roman Navy' by David J.P. Mason.
Regards
Michael Kerr
Regards
Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
