A LITTLE ABOUT THE
HISTORY OF THE SHIP
This
was one of the means of transportation more used by Phileas Fogg for his trip.Following is a little of their history:
In
ancient marine times, people used rafts, logs of bamboo, bundles of reeds, air
filled animal skins and asphalt covered baskets to traverse small water bodies.
To be precise, the first boat was a simple frame of sticks lashed together and
covered expertly with sewn hides. These boats could carry large and heavy loads
easily. You can know about examples of such ancient boats among the bull boats
of North American plains, the kayaks of the Inuit’s and the coracks of British
islanders. Yet another ancient boat was the dugout which is a log that is
hollowed out and pointed at the ends. Some of these were even as long as sixty
feet.
The Usage of Poles and
Invention of Oar
Ancient
marine history makes for quite an interesting study of the strength and
survival instincts of humanity at large. For instance, in ancient times, the
simple oar was not in use. Instead people used their hands to paddle along in
their tiny boats. They moved rafts by pushing poles against the bottom of the
rivers. Slowly, using creative instincts and ingenuity, man learnt to redesign
the poles by flattening them and widening it at one end, and thus the paddle
was designed to be used in deeper waters. Later on, it was again ingeniously
transformed to become the oar-a-paddle that is fixed on the sides of boats.
Invention of Sails
The
invention of the sail was the greatest turning point in maritime history. The
sails replaced the action of human muscles and sail boats could embark on
longer trips with heavier loads. Earlier vessels used square sails that were
best suited for sailing down wind. Fore and aft sails were devised later.
Egyptians
take the credit for developing advanced sailing cargo ships. These were made by
lashing together and sewing small pieces of wood. These cargo ships were used
to transport great columns of stone for monument building.
Phoenicians
and their Contribution
History
of ships is never complete without mentioning the Phoenicians. They deserve
special mention since it is highly probable that they were the pioneers of the
wooden sailing vessels that were to sail the high seas centuries later. The
Phoenicians fashioned out galleys from the earlier dugouts with sails and oars
providing power. As the galleys grew larger, according to specifications and
requirements, rowers were arranged at two levels.
These
were called the biremes by the Greeks and Romans. They also built triremes that
are galleys with three banks of oars.
TYPES OF SHIPS IN
ANCIENT MARITIME HISTORY
As
marine history and along with it, the history of ships unfolds; it draws images
of intrigue and amazement at the expert and diligent craftsmanship of the
ancient mariners. The medieval ships were clinker built, which refers to the
clenching of nail -on technique used for securing planks. The clinker design
was adapted from the earlier skin boats which had to be over lapped to make it
water tight.
The
Irish, in the medieval ages were in possession of more advanced vessels like
the Irish curragh. These had wooden frames and a hide covered wicker hull; it
is speculated that these ancient ships were fitted with removable masts rigged
using primitive sails.
By
1000 AD, the famed Viking Long ship was permitted a travel into the Mediterranean.
These ships were wider and had a more advanced mast stepping design.
By
800 AD an alternative form of the north European ship design, the hulk came
into vogue. The Utrecht ship is an example of the hulk. Its planks are flush,
butted end to end and tapered in order to draw up at the sides and at the bow
and stern.
Improvements in Marine
Vessels
Ships
continued to develop as overseas trade became increasingly more important. By
late 1100’s a straight stern post was added to ships to facilitate the hanging
rudder. This aspect improved greatly the handling characteristics of a ship.
The rudder permitted larger ships to be designed. It also allowed for ships
with increasingly higher free boards to be built.
As
years passed, in order to avoid risk of water damage, cargo was transported in
large gallon barrels called tuns. The crew could now sleep on big leather bags
on deck; the passenger space was termed “steerage” and this term is still in
use today to refer to passenger accommodation of minimal facilities.
The
British relied heavily on the nef, a term used for ships. At this point of
time, ship design took a different turn – the first distinctive feature was the
plank on frame construction. This allowed for much larger ships to be built.
With more ships at sea, trade occurred from nearly all ports and there arose a
need for a ship that could sail from anywhere to anywhere.
The
carrack was designed and she was truly one of the tall ships. It has its origin
in Genoa and sports the design of three Mediterranean vessels set to sail north
through the Atlantic trade in the Bat of Biscay. The carrack was almost
exclusively built of carvel, a type of construction that had its uses in both
skin and frame built ships. In this design, the planks are fitted edge to edge
rather than overlapping. In fact the carrack was the first to use the full
skeletal design with planking framed on ribs the entire way to the keel.
Suez was expected in the packet called Mongolia. In the dock were two people waiting, one was the consular agent of the United Kingdom and the other seemed more nervous was the detective Fix. He was impatient because I wanted the arrival of the Mongolia and monitor passengers who arrived to capture the thief Bank of England, which the telegram was Phileas Fogg. Fix asked the consul if he came early and he said yes. There was a stir in the coming spring and Mongolia. When passengers got one Fix approached, asked where was the consular officer and taught English Fix passport. He said it was not his passport but his master so called because it could not put the British visa.
