258 THE SEA. 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE HISTORY or SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTERESTS. 



The First Attempts to Float Hollowed Logs and Rafts The Ark and its Dimensions Skin Floats and Basket-boats 

 Maritime Commerce of Antiquity Phoenician Enterprise Did they Round the Cape? The Ships of Tyre Carthage 

 Hanno's Voyage to the West Coast of Africa Egyptian Galleys The Great Ships of the Ptolemies Hiero's 

 Floating Palace The Romans Their Repugnance to Seafaring Pursuits Sea Battles with the Carthaginians- 

 Cicero's Opinions on Commerce Constantinople and its Commerce Venice Britain The First Invasion under 

 Julius Csesar Benefits Accruing The Danish Pirates The London of the Period The Father of the British Navy 

 Alfred and his Victories Canute's Fleet The Norman Invasion The Crusades Richard Coeur de Lion's Fleet 

 The Cinque Ports and their Privileges Foundation of a Maritime Code Letters of Marque Opening of the Coal 

 Trade Chaucer's Description of the Sailors of his Time A Glorious Period The Victories at Harfleur Henry V.'s 

 Fleet of 1,500 Vessels The Channel Marauders The King-Maker Pirate Sir Andrew Wood's Victory Action with 

 Scotch Pirates The Great Michael and the Great Harry Queen Elizabeth's Astuteness The Nation never so well 

 Provided "The Most Fortunate and Invincible Armada" Its Size and Strength Elizabeth's Appeal to the Country 

 A Noble Response EfHngham's Appointment The Armada's First Disaster Refitted, and Resails from Corunna 

 Chased in the Rear A Series of Contretemps English Volunteer Ships in Numbers The Fire-ships at Calais The 

 Final Action Flight of the Armada Fate of Shipwrecked Spanish in Ireland Total Loss to Spain Rejoicings 

 and Thanksgivings in England. 



IT will not now be out of place to take a rapid survey of the progress of naval architecture, 

 from log and coracle to wooden walls and ironclads, noting rapidly the progressive steps 

 which led to the present epoch. 



It is only from the Scriptures, and from fragmentary allusions in the writings of 

 profane historians and poets, that we can derive any knowledge of the vessels employed by 

 the ancients. Doubtless our first parents noticed branches of trees or fragments of wood 

 floating upon the surface of that " river " which " went out of Eden to water the garden ; " 

 and from this to the use of logs singly, or combined in rafts, or hollowed into canoes, 

 would be an easy transition. The first boat was probably a mere toy model; and, likely 

 enough, great was the surprise when it was discovered that its sides, though thin, would 

 support a considerable weight in the water. The first specimen of naval architecture of 

 which we have any description is unquestionably the ark, built by Noah. If the cubit 

 be taken as eighteen inches, she was 450 feet long, 75 in breadth, and 45 in depth, 

 whilst her tonnage, according to the present system of admeasurement, would be about 

 15,000 tons. It is more than probable that this huge vessel was, after all, little more 

 than a raft, or barge, with a stupenduous house reared over it, for it was constructed 

 merely for the purpose of floating, and needed no means of propulsion. She may have 

 been, comparatively speaking, slightly built in her lofty upper works, her carrying capacity 

 being thereby largely increased. Soon after the Flood, if not, indeed, before it, other 

 means of flotation must have suggested themselves, such as the inflated skins of animals ; 

 these may be seen on the ancient monuments of Assyria, discovered by Layard, where 

 there are many representations of people crossing rivers by this means. Next came wdcker- 

 work baskets of rushes or reeds, smeared with mud or pitch, similar to the ark in which 

 Moses was found. Mr. Layard found such boats in use on the Tigris ; they were constructed 

 of twisted reeds made water-tight by bitumen, and were often large enough for four or five 

 persons. Pliny says, in his time, "Even now in British waters, vessels of vine-twigs sewn 

 round with leather are used." The words in italics might be used were Pliny writing to-day. 

 Basket-work coracles, covered with leather or prepared flannel, are still found in a few parts 



