Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-16
lflisfeIlaurous Artltlrs.
VESSELS OF THE ANCIENT
BRTTONS AND SAXONS.

From the ACCOUNTS thos
down to US, it is probable that the lnhaoi-
tants of the British isles, prior to the
Roman conquest, had no better water
craft than small open boats, and those
nrobablv not furnished with sails. They
were commonly constructed of OILERS, or
wicker work, covered with skins; yet
lit is said that ocean voyages of consider
length were made in them-a statement
which if true, attests a hardy and adven-
turous character on the part of the Bri-
tons. which has not been excelled by the
modern Bmtishers. Small boats Of a
similar character are still used on the
rivers of Wales and ireland, called the
"curraeh'' by the Irish, and the "eoracle''
by the Welsh. The Britons also employ
ed that most primitive kind of boat, the
trunk of tree fashioned into a canoe,
specimens of which have been dug up in
the marshes and river beds of England
and Scotland. They were generally from
seven to ten feet in length, although one
was dug from creek in Sussex in 1884,
which was thirty four feet long and four
and half feet wide.
The ancient Saxons, dwelling on the
shores of the Baltic and the Germanic
rivers which empty into it, were essent-
ally maritime people, and being rest
less and warlike, they made frequent pi-
ratical excursions along the coast for con-
siderable distances. Their chiefs styled
themselves "Sea Kings" 1t was during
one of these expeditions near the British
coast, about 449, that Hengist and Horsa
were invited by the Britons to assist
them against the Picts and Scots in the
north-an invitation which led eventually
t. to the suhjugation of Briton by the Sax
ons. Although the Saxons must have
t: had better vessels than those of the Bri-
tons, yet they were very rude. Says
Gibbon:
''If the fact were not established by
the most unquestionable evidence, We
should appear to abuse the creduality o
our readers by the description of the YES
sells in which the Saxon pirates venture,
to sport an the German Ocean, tn
British Channel, and the Bay of Biscay
The keelof their large fat-bottomed boa
was framed of light timber, but the side
and upper works consisted only of wicke
and covering of strong hides. But tn
daring spirit of the pirates braved tn
perils both of the sea and of the shore
their skill was confirmed by their habit
of enterprise; the meanest of their mar
ners was alike capable of handling a
oar, of rearing sail, and of conducting
vessel and the Saxons rejoiced in az
pearance Of a tempest, which conceale
their designs, and dispersed the fleets {
III the enemy"
.et During the reign of Alfred the Ores
from 81 to 90l, says the Sailors Mage
zine, from which we gather these fact
l. great Improvements were made in Il
art of shibbuilding. The enterprisir
and ingenious monarch first employt
ships of war to defend his dominions fro
invasion, and did much by his own m
chanical genius and skill to improve t
structure of his vessels. He obtained
formation from foreign nations concer
ing nautical matters, and as the res,
of his inquiries and studies, caused We
sells to be built of larger size than pl
viOusly known. They were mann
by fifty or sixty rowers, after t
manner of the Roman galleys, to
used when the wind failed. He a
introduced improvements in the mod
and rigging. From drawings of Sax
y ships in ancient manuscripts, it apes
that their bows and sterns terminated
elevated points, similar to a gondol,
ornamented with rudely carved irnitatiC
of the heads and tails of animals,
former with mouths distended. to q
them ferOcious appearance.
Alfred's ships were the beginning of
wooden walls" of England, and W,
successfully employed by him to repel
attacks Of the Danes. This spirit
naval enterprise continued among
successors. His great grandson Ed.
had a feet Of thirty six sail, and acquil
such renown in fighting the Danes Il
a story is related of him that he Oh
went in state in his barge on the ri,
Dee, having eight crowned kings for
oarsmen, himselfholding the helm. t
rivalry ofthe Saxons and Danes pec
gs, sarily stimulated the art of shipbuildi
and in 1908 the Danes attacked Enols
with a feet such as had never bef
been heard of. Each ship bore aloft
ensign Of its commander, and their pro
were adorned with figures of lions. b,