Difference between revisions of "Watercraft"

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[[File:Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti.jpg|350px|thumb|Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti]]
 
[[File:Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti.jpg|350px|thumb|Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti]]
  
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Across westeros there are various types and size of watercraft in use from smaller fisher boats and raider vessels to huge warships and trade ships that cross the summer seas.
  
==Westeros?==
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==Ships in the World==
 
==Seven Kingdoms==
 
==Seven Kingdoms==
Iron fleet, royal fleet, Arbor fleet and rest. west east south none.(white harbor ? )
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As far as naval power in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], the Major fleets are: In the west [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] fleet, based on the [[Iron Islands]], In the east [[Iron Throne|royal]] fleet(most of it destroyed on the Blackwater) based on the [[Kings landing]], In the south the [[House Redwyne|Redwynes]] fleet based on the [[Arbor]],<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet/ SSM:The Lannister fleet] (September 26, 1999)</ref> However the North has had no strength at sea for hundreds of years, ever since [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]] put his father's ships to the torch.{{Ref|aCoK|16}}
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In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, many lords whose lands abut the coast, might keep a war galley or three about, for coastal defense against pirates, but only major houses like the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] might have larger and grander fleet of  twenty upto thirty ships. Usually for major battle, the lords would call the ships of their various bannermen, just as Stannis summoned the lords of the narrow sea for the battle on the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Similarly while [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] main force is the [[Iron Fleet]], it can also raise hundreds of [[Ironmen]] ships(largest fleet), however most of those will be longships made for raids rather than battle, comparable to lesser war galleys elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms. <ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet/ SSM:Greyjoy fleet] (February 09, 1999)</ref> where Larger and more formidable ships are more common like cogs, carracks, and war galleys of various sides, up to the great dromonds with scorpions and catapults on deck.
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==Elsewhere==
 
==Elsewhere==
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There are many different types of naval engagements, ranging from full scale naval engagements to smaller skirmishes and piracy. with One of the major problems being coastal raiding. The basic tactic of naval battles was to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship and then board her and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. There were no major long range [[Armament|weapons]] that could be helpful except longbows and crossbows.
 
There are many different types of naval engagements, ranging from full scale naval engagements to smaller skirmishes and piracy. with One of the major problems being coastal raiding. The basic tactic of naval battles was to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship and then board her and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. There were no major long range [[Armament|weapons]] that could be helpful except longbows and crossbows.
  
==Types of ships==
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==Types of ships== <!-- Note 1 -->
 
* '''Galley''', Vessels larger than boats, that are primarily propelled by oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they were primarily coastal ships, prefer threading through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. their large rower crew made them maneuverabil and swift but also required frequent stops for food and water.  The galley has supplemental sails to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. The ability to travel swiftly without regard to the direction or strength of the wind became invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. (Real-life, practical upper limit for a galley fast and maneuverable enough for warfare was around 25-30 oars per side. By adding another level of oars, the galley could be made shorter with as many rowers, while making them strong enough to be effective ramming weapons.)
 
* '''Galley''', Vessels larger than boats, that are primarily propelled by oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they were primarily coastal ships, prefer threading through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. their large rower crew made them maneuverabil and swift but also required frequent stops for food and water.  The galley has supplemental sails to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. The ability to travel swiftly without regard to the direction or strength of the wind became invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. (Real-life, practical upper limit for a galley fast and maneuverable enough for warfare was around 25-30 oars per side. By adding another level of oars, the galley could be made shorter with as many rowers, while making them strong enough to be effective ramming weapons.)
  
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* '''Carracks''', large ocean-going vessel. Stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
 
* '''Carracks''', large ocean-going vessel. Stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
  
* '''Summer Island [[Swan ship]]''', large ocean-going vessel designed and built in the [[Summer Islands]]. it has large, white sails and figureheads that more often than not depicted birds. They sail very well, but when becalmed, they are helpless.
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* '''[[Swan ship]]''', they're called so in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] for their great white sails and figureheads which are often carved in the shape of birds, are very large ocean-going vessel designed and built in the [[Summer Islands]], with a good wind behind them can outrun any galley. However, they are helpless when becalmed. They have High-masts and high forecastles. <Ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]] p.527</ref>
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==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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* List of known Warships [[:Category:Warships|Warships]].
 
* List of known Warships [[:Category:Warships|Warships]].
  
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* The [[Iron Fleet]].
  
* The [[Iron Fleet]]
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Revision as of 12:44, 22 November 2011

First mate by henning.jpg
Blacktyde longship by MarcSimonetti
Sallas escort ship by MarcSimonetti
Suicide raider by MarcSimonetti

Across westeros there are various types and size of watercraft in use from smaller fisher boats and raider vessels to huge warships and trade ships that cross the summer seas.

Ships in the World

Seven Kingdoms

As far as naval power in the Seven Kingdoms, the Major fleets are: In the west Greyjoys fleet, based on the Iron Islands, In the east royal fleet(most of it destroyed on the Blackwater) based on the Kings landing, In the south the Redwynes fleet based on the Arbor,[1] However the North has had no strength at sea for hundreds of years, ever since Brandon the Burner put his father's ships to the torch.[2]

In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, many lords whose lands abut the coast, might keep a war galley or three about, for coastal defense against pirates, but only major houses like the Lannisters might have larger and grander fleet of twenty upto thirty ships. Usually for major battle, the lords would call the ships of their various bannermen, just as Stannis summoned the lords of the narrow sea for the battle on the Battle of the Blackwater. Similarly while Greyjoys main force is the Iron Fleet, it can also raise hundreds of Ironmen ships(largest fleet), however most of those will be longships made for raids rather than battle, comparable to lesser war galleys elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms. [3] where Larger and more formidable ships are more common like cogs, carracks, and war galleys of various sides, up to the great dromonds with scorpions and catapults on deck.


Elsewhere

Ibben Fat-bellied whaling ships, with hulls black with tar. here or types?

Thirteen Spicers Brotherhood

Swan ships Summer Islands


Warfare?

There are many different types of naval engagements, ranging from full scale naval engagements to smaller skirmishes and piracy. with One of the major problems being coastal raiding. The basic tactic of naval battles was to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship and then board her and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. There were no major long range weapons that could be helpful except longbows and crossbows.

Types of ships

  • Galley, Vessels larger than boats, that are primarily propelled by oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they were primarily coastal ships, prefer threading through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. their large rower crew made them maneuverabil and swift but also required frequent stops for food and water. The galley has supplemental sails to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. The ability to travel swiftly without regard to the direction or strength of the wind became invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. (Real-life, practical upper limit for a galley fast and maneuverable enough for warfare was around 25-30 oars per side. By adding another level of oars, the galley could be made shorter with as many rowers, while making them strong enough to be effective ramming weapons.)
  • War Galley, are larger than normal Galleys and carry more tonnage as a result of being equipped with siege weapons like ballista or catapults, and having a larger compliment of oarsmen and soldiers onboard. The standard tactic for engaging is to disable the opposing ships' sails then ram and board it. They are presumably the kind of ship that GRRM has compared to Venetian/Byzantine dromonds of war[4]
  • Longships, are smaller type of Galley, primarily used by the Ironborn. They are long, narrow, light, wooden boat with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one metre deep and permitted beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages. Longships were also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around; this trait proved particularly useful in northern latitudes where icebergs and sea ice posed hazards to navigation. Longships were fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sported a rectangular sail on a single mast which was used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. GRRM has compared them to Viking longboats.[5]
  • Cog, is mostly propelled by sails, which made it difficult to sail, especially upwind, and it was hostage to breezes and currents in a way that the swift galley was not. however it could better manage rough seas and its small crew and ample storage space gave it greater freedom of movement. making it perfect for trade or equipment transport.
  • Carracks, large ocean-going vessel. Stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
  • Swan ship, they're called so in the Seven Kingdoms for their great white sails and figureheads which are often carved in the shape of birds, are very large ocean-going vessel designed and built in the Summer Islands, with a good wind behind them can outrun any galley. However, they are helpless when becalmed. They have High-masts and high forecastles. [6]


See Also


Notes

  1. Some of the descriptions are based on real life parallels.

References