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A fleet of three ancient Anglo-Saxon ships, each with wind filling the lone sail. Each ship has a dragon head at the bow. The front ship has a curled, dragon tail at the stern. Several men occupy the decks of the ships. The ship of the right has a head on a pike displayed at its bow. A crow sits on and pecks at the head. Another crow sits on the mast of that ship.

Anglo-Saxon Ships with Wind in the Sails

A fleet of three ancient Anglo-Saxon ships, each with wind filling the lone sail. Each ship has a dragon…

Illustration of a Greek war-ship from the 5th century BC. There are two masts, a large decorative bird element at the bow, and shell-like enclosure at the stern. Three rows of oars are manned by several men. A large, steering oar at the starboard bow is controlled by a man on a raised platform. A flag flies from the stern.

Greek War-Ship with Three Rows of Oars

Illustration of a Greek war-ship from the 5th century BC. There are two masts, a large decorative bird…

"In June of 1817 President Monroe took a very extensive journey through the States, visiting all the fortifications ... He was conveyed up the Delaware from Wilminton to the navy-yard in Philadelphia in a barge of the Franklin. The barge was lined and trimmed with crimson velvet, and rowed by sixteen oarsmen, dressed in scarlet vests, white sleeves and trousers." -Abbot, 1902

Monroe's Barge

"In June of 1817 President Monroe took a very extensive journey through the States, visiting all the…

A Norse Ship of the tenth century.

Norse Ship

A Norse Ship of the tenth century.

An instrument for rowing boats.

Oar

An instrument for rowing boats.

A Roman boat

Roman Boat

A Roman boat

A Roman Galley with three banks of oars.

Roman Galley

A Roman Galley with three banks of oars.

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way the lines of rowers in triremes and quinqueremes were arranged is unknown."—Myers, 1904

Prow of a Roman War Ship

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way…

The Swiss Family Robinson in their tub-boat from Johann David Wyss' novel.

Swiss Family Robinson

The Swiss Family Robinson in their tub-boat from Johann David Wyss' novel.

Any ship propelled primarily by man-power, using oars. Most galleys also use masts and sails as a secondary means of propulsion.

Venetian Galley

Any ship propelled primarily by man-power, using oars. Most galleys also use masts and sails as a secondary…

A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way than merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuverable than merchant ships. Unlike a merchant ship, a warship typically only carries weapons, ammunition and supplies for its own crew (rather than merchant cargo). Warships usually belong to a navy, though they have sometimes been operated by individuals or companies.

English and Spanish Warships, 1588

A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a…