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Nov 18, 600
Germanic Longships
From the 7th century to around the 11th century, Germanic tribes used longships to raid other ships. -
Nov 18, 1100
Chinese "Junk"
Between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Chinese "junk," or djong, is perfected. This is the later Song dynasty -
Nov 18, 1400
Multiple Masts
In the 15th century, multiple masts on European cargo ships were added. They quickly became standard for large ships. -
Nov 16, 1571
Battle of Lepanto
This is the last recorded naval battle powered by oarsmen. -
The Bireme Boat
Around 700 BC, Poenicians invented a boat with two banks of oarsmen, one above the other, for faster travel. This was called a bireme. -
New Warship Invented
Between 260 and 255 BC, Romans capture a Carthoginian ship with 5 banks of oarsmen. It was large and heavy, ideal for battle use to batter other boats. -
Boat at Giza
In 2500 BC, Ancient Egyptions buried a boat made of planks of cedar next to the Giza pyramid. -
Two Different Designs
By 1100 BC, the Phoenicians had invented two diffent types of boats. One, squat and tubby with rounded ends for passengers and cargo. The other was longer and sharp at one end for battle.
