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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]]
  
Across westeros there are various types and size of watercraft in use from smaller fisher boats and raider vessels, various warships and trade ships, up to the huge war dromonds and the magnificent swan ships that cross the summer seas.
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'''Ships''' are watercraft used in the [[Known World]]. They include smaller fisher boats and raider vessels, various warships and trade ships, up to the huge war dromonds and the magnificent [[swan ship]]s that cross the [[Summer Sea]].
  
 
==Ships in the World==
 
==Ships in the World==
 
===Seven Kingdoms===
 
===Seven Kingdoms===
As far as naval power in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], the Major fleets are: In the west [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys]] fleet, based at the [[Iron Islands]], In the east [[Iron Throne|royal]] fleet(most of it destroyed on the Blackwater) based at [[King's Landing]], In the south the [[House Redwyne|Redwynes]] fleet based on the [[Arbor]],<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet>[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 since [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]] put his father's ships to the torch hundreds of years ago.{{Ref|aCoK|16}}
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The major fleets of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] are the [[Iron Fleet]] and the fleets of the [[ironborn]], based in the [[Iron Islands]], the [[Iron Throne|royal]] fleet based at [[King's Landing]] and [[Dragonstone]], and the [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] fleet based at the [[Arbor]].<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/The_Lannister_Fleet/ The Lannister fleet] (September 26, 1999)</ref> [[The North]] has had no strength at sea since [[Brandon Stark (Burner)|Brandon the Burner]] put [[Brandon Stark (Shipwright)|Brandon the Shipwright]]'s remaining ships to the torch hundreds of years ago.{{Ref|aCoK|16}}
  
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In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, lords whose lands abut the coast might keep a war galley or three for coastal defense against pirates, but only major houses like the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] have larger and grander fleets of twenty to thirty ships. Usually for major battles, the lords call the ships of their various bannermen.<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet /> While the [[House Greyjoy|Greyjoys']] main force is the Iron Fleet, they can also raise hundreds of ironborn ships. However, most of those will be longships made for raids rather than battle, comparable to lesser war galleys elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms. Other Westerosi lords are more likely to have larger and more formidable ships like cogs, carracks, and war galleys of various sides, up to the great dromonds with scorpions and catapults on deck.<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet/ Re: Greyjoy fleet] (February 09, 1999)</ref>
  
In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, 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 to 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]].<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet /> 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. 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.<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Re_Greyjoy_Fleet/ SSM:Greyjoy fleet] (February 09, 1999)</ref>
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The [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] are in more or less the same position as the Lannisters, though they depend even more on their bannermen, especially the lords of the [[Shield Islands]] off the mouth of the[[ Mander]]. The [[House Hightower|Hightowers]] have only a few warships, but control [[Oldtown]], home to numerous trading vessels.<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet />
  
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===Essos===
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In [[Qarth]] the [[Thirteen]] control about 1,000 ships, the [[Ancient Guild of Spicers]] own about 1,200 or 1,300, and the [[Tourmaline Brotherhood]] has about 800.{{Ref|aCoK|63}} The [[Arsenal]] of [[Braavos]] can reportedly build a war galley in a day.{{ref|AFFC|6}}
  
The [[House Tyrell|Tyrells]] are in more or less the same position as the Lannisters, though they depend even more on their bannermen, especially the lords of the [[Shield Islands]] off the mouth of the Mander. The [[House Hightower|Hightowers]] have only a few warships, but control Oldtown, home to numerous trading vessels.<ref name=SSM:LannisterFleet />
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===Other Places===
 
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[[Ibben]] makes use of fat-bellied whaling ships with hulls black with tar and people of the [[Summer Islands]] use [[swan ship]]s.
<!-- In [[A Dance with Dragons]] we learn that [[House Manderly|Manderlys]] has ? ships -->
 
  
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==Warfare==
 +
Ships are used in small skirmishes, raids, and full-scale naval engagements, such as the [[Battle of Fair Isle]]. Lords whose lands abut the coast might need to maintain a few war galleys to defend against piracy. Ships are also use for support roles, such as providing provisions and transporting troops.
  
===Elsewhere===
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The basic tactic of naval battles is to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship, board her, and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. Up until they close longbows and crossbows can be used. Sometimes siege weapons are carried on the largest war galleys.
On essos the [[Thirteen]] control about 1,000 ships, the [[Ancient Guild of Spicers]] own about 1,200 or 1,300, and the [[Tourmaline Brotherhood]] has about eight hundred.{{Ref|aCoK|63}}
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* '''Longships of the [[Iron Fleet]]''' are used as fast raiding ships. They can travel twice as swiftly as a merchant cog{{Ref|aCoK|11}} and can carry up to 100 men.{{Ref|aCoK|24}} The standard tactic for engaging is to board the enemy ship. The crew being combatants, as well as the ironborn preference for wearing armor despite the risk of drowning, gives the ironborn an advantage when boarding.
  
Ibben make use of Fat-bellied whaling ships, with hulls black with tar. <!--here or types--> and people of the Summer Islands use Swan ships.
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* '''War galleys or dromonds''' are larger than normal galleys and carry more tonnage as a result of being equipped with a ram, and they may equip siege weapons like ballista or catapults. They also have a larger compliment of oarsmen and soldiers onboard. The standard tactic for engaging is to ram the enemy ship, causing it to sink, or to board it if the attacking ship has a greater number of soldiers and wishes to capture the enemy ship intact. They are presumably the kind of ship that [[George R. R. Martin]] has compared to Venetian/Byzantine [[w:dromon|dromonds of war]].<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet /> The standard war galley in Westeros has 100 oars and oarmen, with the larger ships adding more decks of 100 oarsmen. [[Myr]]ish war galleys appear to have no more than 80 oars.
  
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* '''[[Swan ship]]''' are known to have red archers, companies that help defend the vessel from attack. Women serve on swan ships and can command the red archers.{{ref|AFFC|35}}
  
==Warfare==  
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==Types of ships - Specifications==
Ships are constantly used in small skirmishes and we have seen full scale naval engagements, for example: [[Battle of Fair Isle]], [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. they are also used for raiding, lords whose lands abut the coast might need to maintain war galley to defend against piracy, however it would be up to the major houses to deal with anything larger than that like the [[Ironborn]] raids encountered during the [[War of the Five Kings]]. Ship are also use for support roles providing provision, transporting troops etc.
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Some of the descriptions are based on real world parallels.
  
The basic tactic of naval battles is 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. Up until they close longbows and crossbows can be used and sometimes siege weapons considering few of the biggest War Galley's.
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* '''Galleys''', vessels larger than boats, are propelled by sail or oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they are primarily coastal ships, preferring to thread through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. Their large rower crew makes them maneuverable and swift but also require 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 becomes invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. The real world, 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. The flagship of [[House Hightower]], ''[[Honor of Oldtown]]'', and the flagship of the royal fleet, ''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', are the two largest known galleys in Westeros.  
  
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* '''Longships''' are a 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 allows navigation in waters only one meter deep and permits beach landings, while its light weight enables it to be carried over portages. Longships are also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. This trait proves particularly useful in northern latitudes where icebergs and sea ice pose hazards to navigation. Longships are fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sport a rectangular sail on a single mast which is used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. Martin has compared them to [[w:longship|Viking longboats]].<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet />
* '''Longships of the [[Iron Fleet]]''', are used as fast raiding ships. They can travel twice as swiftly as a merchant cog{{Ref|aCoK|11}} and can carry upto 100 men.{{Ref|aCoK|24}} The standard tactic for engaging is to board the enemy ship. The crew being also the combatants, and the Ironborn preference of wearing armor despite the risk of drwoning, gives the Ironborn an advantage when boarding.  
 
  
* '''War Galley / Dromond''', are larger than normal Galleys and carry more tonnage as a result of being equipped with a ram, and may equip siege weapons like ballista or catapults. They also have a larger compliment of oarsmen and soldiers onboard. The standard tactic for engaging is to ram the enemy ship, causing it to sink, or to board it if the attacking ship has a greater number of soldiers and wishes to capture the enemy ship intact. They are presumably the kind of ship that GRRM has compared to Venetian/Byzantine [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromon dromonds of war]<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet /> The standard war galley in Westeros has 100 oars and oarmen, with the larger ships adding more decks of 100 oarsmen. Myrish war galleys apear to have no more than 80 oars.
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* '''Cogs''' are mostly propelled by sails, which make them difficult to sail, especially upwind, and they are hostage to breezes and currents in a way that the swift galley is not. However, it can better manage rough seas and its small crew and ample storage space give it greater freedom of movement, making it perfect for trade or equipment transport.
  
* '''[[Swan ship]]''', are known to have 'red archers', companies that help defend the vessel from attack. Women serve on swan ships, and can even command the 'red archers'. <Ref>[[A Dance with Dragons]] p.523-524</ref>
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* '''Carracks''' are large ocean-going vessels. They are stable in heavy seas,and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
  
==Types of ships - Specifications== <!-- Note 1 -->
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* '''[[Swan ship]]s''', so called in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] for their great white sails and figureheads which are often carved in the shape of birds, are large ocean-going vessels designed and built in the [[Summer Islands]]. With a good wind behind them they can outrun any galley. However, they are helpless when becalmed. They have high masts and high forecastles.{{Ref|ADWD|40|Page 527}}
* '''Galleys''', vessels larger than boats, that are propelled by sail or oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they were primarily coastal ships, preferring to thread through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. Their large rower crew made them maneuverable 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.)  The flagship of [[House Hightower]], ''[[Honor of Oldtown]]'', and the flagship of the Royal Navy, [[King Robert's Hammer]], are the two largest known galleys in Westeros.  
 
  
* '''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 meter 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.<ref name=SSM:GreyjoyFleet />
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* '''Whalers''' are fat-bellied ships with huge hulls black with tar from [[Ibben]] used to hunt and process whales in the [[Shivering Sea]].
  
* '''Cogs''', are 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.
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
 +
[[Victarion Greyjoy]] leads the [[Iron Fleet]] in capturing [[Battle of Moat Cailin|capturing Moat Cailin]].
  
* '''Carracks''', large ocean-going vessel. Stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
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[[Stannis Baratheon]] leads the lords of the [[narrow sea]] against [[King's Landing]] in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].
  
* '''[[Swan ship]]s''', so called 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|ADWD|40|Page 527}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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[[Euron Greyjoy]] sends the Iron Fleet against the [[Battle of the Shield Islands|Shield Islands]].
  
* '''Whalers''', Fat-bellied ships with huge hulls black with tar from [[Ibben]] used to hunt and process whales in the [[Shivering Sea]].
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The [[House Redwyne|Redwyne]] fleet assists in the [[Siege of Dragonstone]].
  
==See Also==
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
* List of all known [[:Category:Ships|Ships]].
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Victarion leads the Iron Fleet to [[Slaver's Bay]].
* List of known Warships [[:Category:Warships|Warships]].
 
  
* The [[Iron Fleet]].
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[[Davos Seaworth]] spots twenty-three war galleys at [[White Harbor]],{{ref|ADWD|15}} while [[Wyman Manderly]] claims to have as many more hidden up the [[White Knife]].{{ref|ADWD|29}}
  
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==See Also==
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* List of all known [[:Category:Ships|ships]].
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* List of known [[:Category:Warships|warships]].
  
==Notes==
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==References and Notes==
# Some of the descriptions are based on real life parallels.<br>
 
==References==
 
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}
  
[[Category:Ships| ]][[zh:船只]]
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[[Category:Ships| ]]
 
[[Category:Transport]]
 
[[Category:Transport]]
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[[fr:Bateaux]]
 
[[fr:Bateaux]]
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[[zh:船只]]

Revision as of 21:05, 12 September 2014

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

Ships are watercraft used in the Known World. They include smaller fisher boats and raider vessels, various warships and trade ships, up to the huge war dromonds and the magnificent swan ships that cross the Summer Sea.

Ships in the World

Seven Kingdoms

The major fleets of the Seven Kingdoms are the Iron Fleet and the fleets of the ironborn, based in the Iron Islands, the royal fleet based at King's Landing and Dragonstone, and the Redwyne fleet based at the Arbor.[1] The North has had no strength at sea since Brandon the Burner put Brandon the Shipwright's remaining ships to the torch hundreds of years ago.[2]

In the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, lords whose lands abut the coast might keep a war galley or three for coastal defense against pirates, but only major houses like the Lannisters have larger and grander fleets of twenty to thirty ships. Usually for major battles, the lords call the ships of their various bannermen.[1] While the Greyjoys' main force is the Iron Fleet, they can also raise hundreds of ironborn ships. However, most of those will be longships made for raids rather than battle, comparable to lesser war galleys elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms. Other Westerosi lords are more likely to have larger and more formidable ships like cogs, carracks, and war galleys of various sides, up to the great dromonds with scorpions and catapults on deck.[3]

The Tyrells are in more or less the same position as the Lannisters, though they depend even more on their bannermen, especially the lords of the Shield Islands off the mouth of theMander. The Hightowers have only a few warships, but control Oldtown, home to numerous trading vessels.[1]

Essos

In Qarth the Thirteen control about 1,000 ships, the Ancient Guild of Spicers own about 1,200 or 1,300, and the Tourmaline Brotherhood has about 800.[4] The Arsenal of Braavos can reportedly build a war galley in a day.[5]

Other Places

Ibben makes use of fat-bellied whaling ships with hulls black with tar and people of the Summer Islands use swan ships.

Warfare

Ships are used in small skirmishes, raids, and full-scale naval engagements, such as the Battle of Fair Isle. Lords whose lands abut the coast might need to maintain a few war galleys to defend against piracy. Ships are also use for support roles, such as providing provisions and transporting troops.

The basic tactic of naval battles is to get the ship close enough to ram the other ship, board her, and fight the rest of the battle on the deck. Up until they close longbows and crossbows can be used. Sometimes siege weapons are carried on the largest war galleys.

  • Longships of the Iron Fleet are used as fast raiding ships. They can travel twice as swiftly as a merchant cog[6] and can carry up to 100 men.[7] The standard tactic for engaging is to board the enemy ship. The crew being combatants, as well as the ironborn preference for wearing armor despite the risk of drowning, gives the ironborn an advantage when boarding.
  • War galleys or dromonds are larger than normal galleys and carry more tonnage as a result of being equipped with a ram, and they may equip siege weapons like ballista or catapults. They also have a larger compliment of oarsmen and soldiers onboard. The standard tactic for engaging is to ram the enemy ship, causing it to sink, or to board it if the attacking ship has a greater number of soldiers and wishes to capture the enemy ship intact. They are presumably the kind of ship that George R. R. Martin has compared to Venetian/Byzantine dromonds of war.[3] The standard war galley in Westeros has 100 oars and oarmen, with the larger ships adding more decks of 100 oarsmen. Myrish war galleys appear to have no more than 80 oars.
  • Swan ship are known to have red archers, companies that help defend the vessel from attack. Women serve on swan ships and can command the red archers.[8]

Types of ships - Specifications

Some of the descriptions are based on real world parallels.

  • Galleys, vessels larger than boats, are propelled by sail or oar power. They are used for warfare, trade and piracy. Due to their low setting they are primarily coastal ships, preferring to thread through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. Their large rower crew makes them maneuverable and swift but also require 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 becomes invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. The real world, 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. The flagship of House Hightower, Honor of Oldtown, and the flagship of the royal fleet, King Robert's Hammer, are the two largest known galleys in Westeros.
  • Longships are a 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 allows navigation in waters only one meter deep and permits beach landings, while its light weight enables it to be carried over portages. Longships are also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around. This trait proves particularly useful in northern latitudes where icebergs and sea ice pose hazards to navigation. Longships are fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Later versions sport a rectangular sail on a single mast which is used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. Martin has compared them to Viking longboats.[3]
  • Cogs are mostly propelled by sails, which make them difficult to sail, especially upwind, and they are hostage to breezes and currents in a way that the swift galley is not. However, it can better manage rough seas and its small crew and ample storage space give it greater freedom of movement, making it perfect for trade or equipment transport.
  • Carracks are large ocean-going vessels. They are stable in heavy seas,and roomy enough to carry provisions for long voyages.
  • Swan ships, so called in the Seven Kingdoms for their great white sails and figureheads which are often carved in the shape of birds, are large ocean-going vessels designed and built in the Summer Islands. With a good wind behind them they can outrun any galley. However, they are helpless when becalmed. They have high masts and high forecastles.[9]
  • Whalers are fat-bellied ships with huge hulls black with tar from Ibben used to hunt and process whales in the Shivering Sea.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Victarion Greyjoy leads the Iron Fleet in capturing capturing Moat Cailin.

Stannis Baratheon leads the lords of the narrow sea against King's Landing in the Battle of the Blackwater.

A Feast for Crows

Euron Greyjoy sends the Iron Fleet against the Shield Islands.

The Redwyne fleet assists in the Siege of Dragonstone.

A Dance with Dragons

Victarion leads the Iron Fleet to Slaver's Bay.

Davos Seaworth spots twenty-three war galleys at White Harbor,[10] while Wyman Manderly claims to have as many more hidden up the White Knife.[11]

See Also

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 So Spake Martin: The Lannister fleet (September 26, 1999)
  2. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 16, Bran II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 So Spake Martin: Re: Greyjoy fleet (February 09, 1999)
  4. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
  5. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
  6. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 11, Theon I.
  7. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 24, Theon II.
  8. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  9. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 40, Tyrion IX, Page 527.
  10. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
  11. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 29, Davos IV.