Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19

The Egyptians Built Vessels as Big as Our
ocean Racers.

We moderns are justly proud of the
wonderful and magnificent specimens of
naval architecture that crowd the great
ports of the world. If there is anything
now under the sun. a first class ocean
steamer, it is believed, is that rarity. In
our conceit we recall only the galleys and
triremes of the ancients, that scarce ever
ventured beyond the coast line, and TIE
small banks in which Columbus and those
that followed HIM conqured the new world
and gave commerce its greatest field. But
the anclents built many goodly sized craft
and made luxury study on some of them.
IGat much cOntroverted craft, the ark, is
an example OF blgness. Her tonnage is
estimated at about fifteen thousand tons,
smaller, it is true, than that of the Great
Eastern. No less an authority than
Llndsday thinks that he was simply a
raft OF stupendous size, having upon it q.
structure resembling large warehouse
As no means of propulsion WAS necessary,
this description may be correct. The Car
go, however, was unique and probably
the largest and most valuable ever carried.
The description of the ark, as given in
feet IN length, IS feet in breadth, and rs
feet in depth, proportions similar to those
now In use today for great vessels. But
as the agnostic Is not sure that this life
boat at the human race ever existed. and
built, let US take for example of big an
Gent vessels some other craft vouched
for upon the authority of profane
and not sacred writer's. The Egypt
ians, fond of large things and big dimen-
cyo do fha L, TO-, IL e
C ent times. Ptolemy (Ph lopator) would
have apr eciated the Great Eastern. He
was fond of building big boats. Che of
these Is said to have been APO feet long,
81 feet broad and u feet deep from the
highest point of the stern. This vessel
hal four rudders, Or VIVA: some would call
stee' ing oars. as they were not fastened
each As feet lorg. She carried 1000 row.
ers. besides 5000 marines, large body of
servants under her decks, and stores and
provisions. Her oars were 81 feet long,
and the handles were weighted with lead.
There were 2 600 rowers on side, and it
is supposed that these were divided into
banks. That this extraordinary vessel
ever put to sea is doubted, but that she
was launched and used at times, if only
for display, several historians are agreed,
Another ship" the Thaanlesus, built
for one of the Ptolemies, is said to have
been 800 feet long, 49 feet broad and 60
feet deep. This was a far more magnif-
cent vessel than any previous one. An Al
exandrjan historian, CatliXenus, In de-
scrlbiDg her, speaks of her having colon
nades, marble stairs and gardens. Anoth-
er great vessel. historical by reason of its
size, is one built by Hero, king Of SYRIA
cu,e. Her din ens!ons are estimat to be
large, from the description Cf her cargo and
the number of her decks and houses. She
is supposed to have been sheathed with
lead, and accomplish he'd at least one success
full voyage. A full description of ner would
read somewhat like that of one of orr
Long 1slad Sound or Hudson River steam
boats. She had three entrances, the
lowest leading to the hold, the second, to
the eating rooms and the third appropri
ated to the soldiers. There were thirty
rooms, each having four touches, fer the
soldiers; there were fifteen touches in the
sailors supper room. and there were three
more cabins, each having three cOuches
The floors OF all the rooms were Iald In
stone mosaic work. There was also a tam.
pie OF cypress inIaid with ivory and dedi-
Gated to Venus. Tie main mast was COM
posed of a single tree, and the vessel
carried four wooden and eight iron an
chors.
AS freight carrier she would rival the
largest of our ocean tramps. It's recorded
that one or two of TIE launches belonging
to her would carry about eighty tons. This
vessel is said to have carried 80 900
measures of corn. 10000 jars of Sicillan
salt fish. 10000 talents weight of wool.
and Of other cargo 10000 talents. all of
which was in addition to the provision re-
qEired for the crew." These are the
notably big vessels of ancient times, but
the supposition is that as rulers, whether
king or people, were as emulous in those
days as flese, other big craft were also
built. From the foreg ling description.
the thought is suggested that the first de-
signers of our own river steamboats, may
have heard of the Egyption and Syracusan
vessels, and taken hint from them in
building fcating paIaces.-Maritime Reg
lister.