Replica historic wooden boat

[koukouvagia]

I’ve just come back from Athens where this replica trireme is moored after a three year refit. It is the most graceful, beautiful yet deadly wooden boat imaginable.

Without these triremes and their famous victory at Salamis over the Persians in 480BC, it is arguable that western democracy would never have been born.

I remember seeing Olympias on the Thames over twenty years ago. It had the most astonishing burst of speed and was incredibly manoeuvrable.

From a navigation point of view I am intrigued by the twin steering oars.

It seems that this shape might do well on the canals: the curved stern would stop it getting it caught up on the cill, the very shallow draft would be ideal in shallow water; the long deck (on which marines were stationed) would be ideal for socialising; and with the fearsome battering ram would ensure that no one would try to pinch your bridgehole. Mind you, it would also demolish lock gates, so perhaps not such a good idea.

The 170 oared trireme, Olympias. Dimensions: 120' x 20'. Displacement 70 tons. Held together with 17,000 handmade bronze nails. Maximum speed 9 knots, 180 degree turn in just over two boat lengths.

The elegant stern. Oregan pine and Virginia oak were used.

View showing one of the steering oars and the helmsman's seat.

Edited October 1, 2016 by koukouvagia

[Ray T]

Do I detect some planned modifications to Owl in the offing?

[rivergate]

Beautiful Thanks for sharing these...

[magnetman]

I guess the twin steering oars are probably used as "stern thrusters" as well - helping to rapidly turn the vessel by using some sort of paddling technique like the falling leaf type of single oar sculling used on dinghies in ye old days or yore.

 

A bit like having twin engines. Two large oars operated with skill could spin the boat very quickly.

 

Although looking at it they don't seem to be that moveable so maybe not

[koukouvagia]

Although looking at it they don't seem to be that moveable so maybe not

 

 

This is a clearer picture of the steering oars. They are moveable.

Edited October 1, 2016 by koukouvagia

[magnetman]

Thanks

 

And there is a little line tied to the blade as well.

I wonder what that is for.

[bargemast]

Thanks a lot for sharing these stunning photos with us.

 

What an incredible craftmanship and a shape that would be hard to match even nowadays.

 

They were REAL boatbuilders.

 

I don't think somehow that this sort of shaped boat will ever replace the cheap and easy narrowboat, too bad !

 

Peter.

[koukouvagia]

Thanks

 

And there is a little line tied to the blade as well.

I wonder what that is for.

I suspect it's there to stop the oar flapping when the boat is moored. I tie back the ellum on my butty in exactly the same way.

[magnetman]

But the oar is out of the water when moored

[Derek R.]

The rudder is drawn up out of the water and kept there by the line. It's taught, and fastened inboard. The rudders are lowered and used in the vertical position when in use, one man per rudder.

[koukouvagia]

The rudder is drawn up out of the water and kept there by the line. It's taught, and fastened inboard. The rudders are lowered and used in the vertical position when in use, one man per rudder.

 

Actually one man, the helmsman, held both steering oars. You can catch a glimpse of how this was used in this clip (at 8'40" onwards)

[Mirithehamster]

Talking about replica Wooden boat i think a replica of A Mersey Jigger Flat Should be or even a replica of The Daresbury

[pete harrison]

Talking about replica Wooden boat i think a replica of A Mersey Jigger Flat Should be or even a replica of The Daresbury

I am sure if you are prepared to fund it somebody would build it

[Mirithehamster]

I am sure if you are prepared to fund it somebody would build it

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=343126089368383&set=gm.220908628322528&type=3

[Derek R.]

"Sorry, this page isn't available"

 

Probably run out of money . . . 'Put another shilling in the meter love . . '

[carlt]

"Sorry, this page isn't available"

 

Probably run out of money . . . 'Put another shilling in the meter love . . '

Well I got...

 

抱歉，這個頁面無法取得 你點擊進來的連結可能已失效，或頁面可能已被移除

 

[bargemast]

 

Well I got...

 

 

 

At least what you got makes it clear, but still a lot less clear than mud.

 

Peter.

[Ryna]

It looks great

[Athy]

 

Well I got...

 

 

To take away?

[Jrtm]

Can you throw in free prawn crackers please

[Laurence Hogg]

 

Well I got...

 

 

I GOT: 抱歉，這個頁面無法取得 你點擊進來的連結可能已失效，或頁面可能已被移除 which means:

"Sorry, this page can not come get you click on the link may be dead, or the page may have been removed"

[David Mack]

 

 

I GOT: 抱歉，這個頁面無法取得 你點擊進來的連結可能已失效，或頁面可能已被移除 which means:

 

 

"Sorry, this page can not come get you click on the link may be dead, or the page may have been removed"

So that's a "no" to the prawn crackers then.

[Derek R.]

And definitely no fortune cookies. (Sigh).

[Jrtm]

So that's a "no" to the prawn crackers then.

Bugger.