Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-02-02


i Ancient Naval Architecture.
BY the greatness of our modern ffiun,phs Of
art We are frequently blinded to the feafs Of
caller ages, which when calmly contemplated,
seem quite as wonderful as Off own achieve
ments:
There are several interesting particulars
mentioned by Atheneus, respecting the magni-
ficent ship named the 'Syracusan, which was
built under the directions of Archimedes, and
to which we have alluded. From the following
brief description, it will BE- perceived. that for
richness of decoration; real cohvehencies and
| luxuries, for even that of library was nn
overlooked, she rivalIed, if she did not excel.
! our justly admired packets and steam ships.
4 Three hundred carpenters were employed in
building this vessel, which was completed in
one year. The timber for the planks and ribs
were obtained partly from Mount Etna, and
partly from Italy; other materials from Spain,
and hemp for cordage from the vincinty Of the
Rhone. She was every where secured with
large copper nails, [bolts each of which weig-
ed ten pounds and upwards. At equal distances
| all round the exterior were statues Of Atlas,
nine feet in height. supporting the upper decks
and triglyphs; besides which the whole outside
was adorned with paintings; and en,irencd with
| ramparts or guards of iron, to prevent an ene-
my from boarding her. She had three rnasss;
for two of these, trees sufficiently large were
obtained without much difficulty, but ,,fitahle
one for the mainmast, was not procured .s5r some
time. A swine-herd accidentally discovered
one growing on the mountains of Brutiia. SEA
was launched by a few hands, by rnesns OF a
helix, or screw machiue invented BY Afchime-
des for the purpose, and it appears that she
was sheathed with sheet lead. Tw, w.. anchors
were on board, four of which were of ~.od, aud
eight of iron. Graphing irons W, re isposed
all round, which by means of suitable engines
could be thrown into enemies shins. Upon
each side of this vessel were six hundred Young
men fully armed, and an equal nnmi;er on the
masts and attending the engines for throwing
stones. Soldiers, (modern marines) ere also,
employed on board, and they were supplied with
ammunition, i. e. stones and arrows. Inv little
boys that were below [the powder monkies of
modern man of war;, who sent item up in
baskets by means of pueys. She had twenty
ranges of oars. Upon rampant W: san cngines
invented by Archimedes, which coui,l throw ar.
rows and stones of three hundred pounds, to
the distance of a stadium, la furlong1 besides
others for defence, and suspended III chains vi
brass.
She seems to have been what is now called
"a three decker for there were 'thrre galleries,
or corridors, from the lowest of which, the SAIL
ors went down by ladders to the holt. In the
middle one, were thirty rooms in each Of which,
were four beds; the floors were Iavef with small
stones of different colors, (mosaics) represent,
ing Scenes from Homers IIiad. The doors,
windows and ceilings were finished with won
6erful art and embeliShed with every kind Of
ornament. The kitchen is mentioned as on this
deck and next to the stern, also thee. large
rooms for eating. In the third gallery we're
lodgings for the soldiers, and gymnasium or
place of exercise. There were also gardens in
his vessel, in which various plants we're arran--
red with taste; and among them walks, pro-.
'ortioned to the magnitude of the shi-. and
shaded by aibors of ivy and vines, whose roota
we're in large vessels filled with EARTH Ada
ent to these was room, named the sapart.
nent of Venus the floor OF which was paved
With agate and other precious stones: the walls.
GOT and windows were o: cypress wood, and
dorned with vases, statues, paintings and in
aid with ivory. Another room, the sides and
1indows OF which were of box wood. contained
library: the ceilings represented the heavens.
nd on the top or outside was a sun dial. An
Their apartment was fitted up for bathing. The
later was heated in three large C, pper cau'-
rons, and the bathing vessel was male of
ngle stone of varegated colors. 1t contained
xty gallons. There were also ten stable placed
III
nd corn for the horses, and conveniences for
he horsemea and their servants. AT certain
of timber projected, upon which
are piles of wood, ovens, mills and other con-
ivances for the services of life.
AT the ships head was a large reservoir Of
esh water, formed of plank and pitched. Near
was conservatory for fish, lined with sheet
ad, and containing salt water; although the
ell or hold was extremely Deep. one mar; A.
eneus says, could pump out all the wafer that
aked Into her by screw pump which Archi-
edes, adapted TO that purpose. There were
obably other hydraulic machines oil hs,srd:for !.
e plants, battling apparatus, and kitchen. &c.
The upper decks were supplied with water by :,
pes of earthenware and of lead; the latter,
ost likely, extending from pumps or oihsf ~.
mes that raised The liquid: for there is reason
believe that machines analogous to iorcirg
mps were at that time known.
The sSyfacusan' was laden with corn and
Mt as present TO the King of Egypt, npoi
lich her name was changed TO that of the
lexandria.' Magnificent as this Vessel wass
e appears to have been surpassed BY one subj
luently built by Ptolemny Phlopatar: des-
ption of which is given by Montfaucon, ia
, fourth volume of his antiquities.
WHO'S TO Blanca band of depredators.
itch had hitherto defed the police, of Paris;
$ recently been discovered and apprehended.
stem to the opening examination Of the lea
: Hilbert, and say where the wrong lies:-
low old are yon?' &c As far as ran jndge,
out forty-ive." "What is your profcssionr'
hat of thief "What was yopr iather7"
thief likewise, and died upon the scafToId."
nd your motherr' "a thief also. and died
the prison Of Grenoble." "And. when Won
re thus left alone, whv sought Won not to
IN another trader because / was driven
m door TO door; because no lnstitr ito n is o.
q, either to those ,cho sin or schoss jathers