Sailing into the Past
Jenny Bennett
Until recently, there was little practical knowledge of the ships
of the distant past. We could only surmise as to the manner in
which a Viking ship sailed or how fast a Greek trireme could be
rowed. The building of accurate replicas over the past generation
has changed all that, and what has been learnt about the ships and
boats of our ancestors has radically changed our perceptions of
sailing and voyaging. This beautifully-illustrated new book charts
those discoveries.
The world’s leading authorities look at individual replicas and
discuss what they have taught us. Boris Rankov and John Coates, for
example, discuss the Greek trireme, while Antonia Macarthur
outlines the lessons learnt on Cook’s Endeavour. Each chapter deals
with a particular vessel and construction, sail plans, and the
intended role are covered before an analysis of sailing performance
is discussed. Windward ability, seakindliness, speed and ease of
handling are all dealt with. General chapters by Richard Woodman
and Sean McGrail set the scene.
A fascinating work which offers the most accessible view yet as to
how the ships of our seafaring forbears affected the manner in
which they traded, fought and explored.
Format 18 x 25,5 cm, gebunden, 192 Seiten, zahlreiche Farbfotos
und Zeichnungen, englischer Text, Best.-Nr.PS006
