Lore:Sea Transportation

Ships
thumb|Corsair Ship
thumb|right|A Breton galleon
Galleon

The most common deepwater vessel in Tamriel and   is the galleon, a big ship with three masts and multiple rectangular sails. Galleons are used both for trade and military purposes. Altmer, Bretons, Imperials, Khajiit, Redguards, and Maormer all use and have used galleons as their principal warships.  Breton and Imperial galleons are especially widespread across Tamriel. The Imperial galleon has been built since the Second Empire until the present to protect maritime trade routes around Tamriel. Altmer and Maormer galleons are characterized by its bow figures; an eagle and a snake respectively.   The Renrijra Maor, a major group of Khajiit pirates and privateers, also use galleons. 

Swan Ships
Swan ships are tall vessels with extensive sails, which can travel across both the sea and the rivers.  They are built only in the Summerset Isles, most of them in the wharves of  .  They are also the most favored type for fast travel within the archipelago and between   and the mainland.  Smaller versions of these ships, with one mast, are common both in the Summerset Isles and its sphere of influence: Valenwood and Elsweyr.

Black Marsh
Black Marsh's swampy terrain has forced the Argonians to favor travel through the numerous waterways of the region, only navigable by small-draft ships, which are and have always been the most common and the fastest form of transportation, both of people and goods, inside Argonia. Despite their heavy presence among the crews of big ships, they are rarely constructed by Argonians, as they use other races' ships to sail, commonly those of the Dunmer or the Imperial.  Argonian captains are famous as pirates, privateers and smugglers; and both coastal and inland port cities of Black Marsh have a long tradition of sea sailing.  This tradition was shared with the  , who were among the most valued sailors before they were wiped out by the  .   
Valenwood
Bosmer do not build ships as they would require wood which they cannot use, as they follow the rules of the Green Pact. Due to this, most of the sea and river transportation in Valenwood is carried out by outsiders, most commonly Altmer and Imperials, varying its presence with the rise and falls of Empires and Dominions.   However, Bosmer sailors are common both in Valenwood and outside of the region, working in other races' ships. 

High Rock
In High Rock, the heavy influence of the Second and Third Empire in the Breton population have heavily influenced the design of local Breton ships. Breton cogs, recognizable by having one mast, are also used both in sea and river trade across High Rock and beyond by Breton captains. Big hooded rafts are also used to sail the rivers of the region, transporting people and goods.

Morrowind
Dunmer ship architecture differs from the rest of Tamriel, developing a singular style. The Dark Elves build junk ships of many sizes, from three masts to one mast. Unlike others, their sails include several horizontal members, giving a bug-like appearance to the ships. Prows of Dunmer ships, both civil and war ones, commonly end with a hook-like spur. Dunmer junk ships of three masts are used as military vessels, comparable to other races' galleons. Two and one mast ships, however, are most commonly used in commerce and transportation of people both by sea or by the extensive rivers of mainland Morrowind. Big rafts with bug-like hoods are used to transport people and goods in short distances along the coasts or in the inner waterways.    

Cyrodiil
Imperials, especially those from the Gold Coast, have adventured into the seas since the very First Era.  Besides the galleon, the caravel fulfill the role of trade vessel, both for inner waterways, like the Niben Basin, and for the open sea.    Big rafts are used by the Imperials to sail the rivers of Cyrodiil, transporting people and goods.  In the  , in the vicinity of Black Marsh, drafts are used by locals to travel across the swampy terrain through its small waterways.

Pellitine
Pellitine Khajiit, unlike their northern Anequine cousins, have developed a local shipbuilding industry, this is due to its proximity to the Topal Bay and its traditional plantation economy, this produced a need for ships to handle the exportation of saltrice and other exotic products.  However, their history is far shorter than that of the other races; the Khajiit did not participate in the  .  Since the mid-Second Era, the Renrijra Maor, are the principal group who run both piracy, privateering, and other seafaring activities based in Elsweyr. These pirates are infamous all across Tamriel for their effectiveness. 

Skyrim
Nords' shipbuilding and sailing history can be traced back to Ysgramor and even before, when groups of men came from Atmora to populate Tamriel.  Due to the relative isolation of the province and its unique climate and harsh folks, Nords' longships reflect their needs. The biggest sea ships have two masts and the smaller have one.     They are used both for trade and war and during the times Skyrim was independent, Nords' longships razed the coasts of Morrowind and High Rock.  Smaller rafts and boats are used to sail the waterways and lakes of Skyrim, however, their importance is smaller than their sea counterpart. Nords lack big ships which can be compared to other races' galleons.  

Hammerfell
Like Nords, Redguards' seafaring history is long and most of Hammerfell's ships are unique in Tamriel, as the Yokudan designs were adopted by its descendants. The biggest ships are Galleons. These are the primary vessels used by merchants and as warships, as well as prison ships. Redguards also use smaller galleys, with both oars and sails, to allow travel with and without wind. These galleys, usually built with three masts, and are typically Merchant vessels. These ships are also characterized by their iconic bow figures, which represent Yokudan gods, and their painted hulls.  Besides the galleys, the Redguards also construct dhows, smaller ships, with one or two masts and triangular sails. These are, by far, the most common vessels in Hammerfell and they are used primarily in the transportation of both goods and people. Drafts are built for versatile uses, but their importance is smaller compared to moister regions, where river travel is more widespread.   

Orcs
Like the other races, the Orcs have a history of sea faring. Orcish brigs are trading vessels used by the Orsimer and these vessels would go out as far as the Summerset Isles.  The Seamount Clan, were known for their seafairing, with stories claiming that their ancestors tamed killer whales in the Abecean Sea and trained them for war. Riders of those whales were said to be capable of harpooning ships and steer them by using the strength of the animal, with evidence of this long-lost tradition surviving in siege gear that was later recovered in the Second Era.   They were also described as the fiercest raiders of the sea before they settled on Betony. 

Others
Ashlanders, Reachmen, and Anequine Khajiit have little or no tradition of seafaring and shipbuilding due to their landlocked locations and tribal society. They rely heavily on land transportation and the only ships they use are for fishing or very short travel. 

Ports
right|75px
Black Marsh

Major seaports:
: is an Argonian settlement and port near the eastern coast of Black Marsh.
: known by some as the "Festering Jewel of Black Marsh", is a major city and port located on Oliis Bay.  It is the city farthest to the southeast in all of Tamriel.
: is an Argonian settlement and port located in the southwestern-most corner of Black Marsh.
Minor seaports:
: is a small port town located in eastern Shadowfen, deep in the province of Black Marsh. It lies on the bank of a waterway, which provides access to the sea.
: a major city that is used as the Dark Elves' foothold in the province of Black Marsh. It is the capital of Shadowfen, and its part of the northern river, just before Morrowind and Deshaan.
: a city found along the northeast coast, in the region of  .

Cyrodiil
Major seaports:
: is a prosperous harbor city on the Gold Coast by the Abecean Sea at the very southwest end of Cyrodiil. It is the seat of County Anvil and it is located at the end of the Gold Road, west of Skingrad and Kvatch.
: is a Cyrodilic city in the extreme southeast of the province, by the mouth of the Niben River where it opens into Topal Bay. The city straddles a swampy estuary of the Niben on the small strip of land between the provinces of Elsweyr and Black Marsh called the  .
River ports:
: is a squalid town located on the banks of the Niben Bay, south of the Imperial City. The Larsius River passes through and wraps around the town, as the Green Road curves around it.
Imperial City:  is the capital of Cyrodiil, and a major city and port. The circular settlement is located on City Isle, an island in Lake Rumare in the Nibenay Valley.

Elsweyr
Major seaports:
: is an infamous city, found on the easternmost tip of Elsweyr's  , that serves as the largest port in Tamriel. 
Minor seaports:
: is a city found inland from the Niben River on the Elsweyr side of the border. It is said that great white walls surround the city, hence the name. The docks of Alabaster were one of the first reported sightings of the Knahaten Flu in Elsweyr. 
: is a port city on  .

Hammerfell
Major seaports:
: (also called Old Hegathe) is a city in southwestern Hammerfell. It lies along the Abecean coast, south of Sentinel.
: is a port city at the southern edge of Hammerfell, just north of its border with Cyrodiil. It is located on the coast of the Abecean Sea, on the main road between Anvil and Taneth. The Brena River flows into the Abecean Sea just south of the city.
: is a great city of the Redguards, and the capital of the kingdom of Sentinel. It is located in the northwestern hills of Hammerfell, overlooking the  .
: is an important city and port in the tropical island off the southern coast of Hammerfell near the  .
: is a port city in southern Hammerfell on the Abecean Sea lying northwest of Rihad and east of Gilane.
Minor seaports:
: is a city and port located beside a naturally protected harbor on the east side of the peninsula of Hew's Bane, what started as a simple soldier's camp and shantytown soon grew into a sprawling walled city which dominates the region.
: is a town and port in southern Hammerfell lying west of Taneth and southeast of Sentinel. 
: is a city in western Hammerfell, in the Alik'r Desert, on the eastern bank of the Iliac Bay. In the middle Second Era, the city was called Tava's Blessing and was later renamed after the Lainlyn family.

High Rock
Major seaports:
: is the largest city in Glenumbra, located at the southwestern end of the peninsula. It is the capital of the kingdom of Daggerfall and a major port.
: is a northern port city on the north shore of High Rock,  and one of eight kingdoms in the province.  It is known for its icy winters.  The town began as an Orcish stronghold by the name of Fharun, named after the  .
: is a major port city of High Rock on its most northern coastline. It was founded in the 9th century of the First Era to capitalize on the location along trade routes in the area, and its fortunes have been tied to coastal commerce ever since.
: is a major city in the center of the Stormhaven region of High Rock, at the mouth of the Bjoulsae River. It serves as the capital of a kingdom that forms one of High Rock's provinces. Wayrest prospered greatly after the Fall of Orsinium in 1E 980 when the commerce of all of Tamriel began to pass through its gates. Today the city can boast the largest and richest population in High Rock. 
Minor seaports:
: is a port town in western High Rock, located on the eastern shores of Glenumbra, in the region of Cambray Hills. Thanks to its location, it has become a key port that services the city of Camlorn from trade routes along the Iliac Bay.
: is a major city of northeastern High Rock, and one of High Rock's eight kingdoms.  It was founded sometime after 2E 582, near the site of the Jehanna Docks in Wrothgar.
River ports:
: is a city on the banks of the Bjoulsae River in eastern High Rock, located near the border with Hammerfell. The city was founded, after the fall of Orsinium opened the Bjoulsae for trade and transport. 

Morrowind
Major seaports:
: is a major   city and port on the northwestern coast of mainland Morrowind, close to the border of Skyrim. Across the Inner Sea to the northeast is the island of Solstheim, to the south are the Western Highlands and a good road west connects through the Dunmeth Pass to the Nord city of Windhelm. It became the new capital of Morrowind after the Argonians sacked the former capital, Mournhold.  The Council of Great Houses meets there at the Rootspire.  House Redoran has substantially improved the city over the Third and Fourth Eras, and its grandeur is said to rival Mournhold at its peak. 
: is a city and port on the easternmost tip of Morrowind's mainland which has major religious significance to the  .   The coastline close to the city consists of steep, treacherous cliffs, and sailors are warned to take care in the area. 
: is a major port city on the southeastern coast of Morrowind. It was once the capital of the Dres District, controlled by House Dres, and was infamous for its slave-pens. 
Minor seaports:
: is a settlement on the mainland of Morrowind, along the southern coastline of the Inner Sea. It was once a major port city in the Stonefalls region, controlled by House Indoril. 
: also known as the Black City, is a city on the mainland of Morrowind, along the southern coastline of the Inner Sea.
:  a city located on the northernmost tip of the Telvanni Peninsula. Its name comes from the vista of  .
: is a colony built by the East Empire Company in the  , on the southern coast of  . The colony was founded around an   mine. However, currently is a Redoran settlement.
River ports:
: the "city of light and magic", also known as the City of Gems, was the capital city of Morrowind and the largest and oldest city in the province. Mournhold is located in the heart of the Deshaan region of Morrowind's southern mainland and is the district seat of House Indoril. After the fall of the Tribunal, the settlement and river port is a shadow of its former self.

Skyrim
Major seaports:
:  is a major port city on the northern coast of the province of Skyrim. It is famous for being the northernmost town in Tamriel. Over time, Solitude became one of the wealthiest cities and counties in Skyrim, and by the end of the Third Era it controlled most of the northern coastline of Skyrim after King Thian married Queen Macalla of Dawnstar. 

: is a city in northeastern Skyrim, close to the border with Morrowind, and is the only substantial city in the Hold of Eastmarch. It is not only the oldest city in Skyrim,  but is the oldest continuously inhabited human settlement in Tamriel. 

Minor seaports:
: is a settlement on the northern coast of Skyrim, and the hold capital of The Pale.  It was originally a garrison town, which often served as an exile post due to the harsh climate.  The settlement seemingly got its name due to its reputation for "greeting the sun as it begins its journey". 
 (before its Sundering): is the capital of the namesake hold and a coastal fortress on the inhospitable northeastern tip of Skyrim. One of the Old Holds, Winterhold has been historically isolated from its neighbors, yet still wealthy and prosperous; it even maintained a rivalry with the powerful city of Solitude.   Winterhold was once the capital of Skyrim.  It is home to the  , an institution dedicated to the study of magic, though it is now shunned and feared. 
River ports:
: is a city, capital of The Rift, and river port built on the shores of  , nestled in the Fall Forest. 

Summerset Isles
Major seaports:
: is the capital of the Summerset Isles and a major city and port in the western shore of Summerset Isle.
: is a port city on the southeastern shore of Summerset Isle.
Firsthold: is the oldest, and still one of the most prominent, cities and ports on Auridon, the second-largest island of the Summerset Isles. 
: is a port city on the northwestern coast of  .  
Minor seaports:
: is a town located south of Firsthold. It has an Aldmeri harbor defense system that has been used a long time ago.
: is a city located in the middle of the river, between Summerset Isle and Auridon. Shimmerene is known as "the City of Lights."
: is one of the main cities and ports on Auridon, located on its eastern shore.
: is a settlement located at the southern tip of the island of Auridon. It was once a major port city.

Valenwood
Major seaports:
Southpoint: A coastal city and port in the far southeast of Valenwood, further west than Haven, in the Grahtwood region.
Woodhearth: A coastal city and port in southwestern Valenwood and the capital of the Greenshade region.
Minor seaports:
Haven: is a major city and port on the southern coast of Valenwood, in the Grahtwood region, near the Elsweyr border.
Velyn Harbor: an Altmer town on the western point of Malabal Tor
River ports:
Arenthia: is a city and river port in northeastern Valenwood, situated on the banks of the Strid River, close to the borders of Cyrodiil and Elsweyr.
Gallery
 

References