A GREEK VESSEL OF THE SIXTH CENTURY B.C. 



CHAPTER VI. 



CONSTRUCTION OF GREEK VESSELS — THE PROW, POOP, RUDDER, OARS, MASTS, 



SAILS, CORDAGE, BULWARKS, ANCHORS BIREMES, TRIREMES, QUADRIREMES, 



QUINQUEREMES — THE GRAND GALLEY OF PTOLEMY PHILOPATOR ROMAN VES- 

 SELS — THEIR NAVY — MIMIC SEA-FIGHTS — THE FIVE VOYAGES OF ANTIQUITY. 



The prow or foredeck of Greek vessels was ornamented on 

 both sides by figures in mosaic or painted. An eye on each side 

 of the cutwater, as is represented above, was a very common 

 embellishment. A projection from the head of the prow, pointed 

 or covered with brass, and intended to damage an enemy upon 

 collision, was often in the shape of a wild beast, or helmet, or 

 even the neck of a swan. Below this was the rostrum or beak, 

 which consisted of a beam armed with sharp and solid irons. 

 They were at first above the water ; but their efficiency was after- 

 wards increased by putting them below the water-line and ren- 

 dering them invisible. The commanding officer of the prow was 

 next in rank to the helmsman, and had charge of the rigging 

 and the control of the rowers. 



The deck proper, or middle deck, appears to have been raised 

 above the bulwark, or at least upon a line with its upper edge, 

 thus enabling the soldiers to see far around them and hurl their 

 darts at the enemy from a commanding position. 



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