The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-03-28
SHIPS OF THE ANCIENTS.
EQUAL TO MODERN STEAM
SHIPS IN SIZE.
Most People arc Wholly Ignorant Of the Vast
Measurements OF Some Of the Ocean
and Sea MonArehs OF Early
Historic Tines


great ports OF the world. IL there Is
anything new under the sun. first
class ocean steamer. IL Is believed, Is
that rarity. In our conceit we recall
only the galleys and triremes oil the
ancients. that scarce ever ventured
beyond the coast line and the small
banks In which Columbus and those
that followed him conquered the new
world. and gave commerce its greatest
field. Bat the ancients built many
goodly sized craft says the Maritime
Register. and made luxury study on
some OF them.
That much controverted craft the
ark. Is an example OF bigness. Her
thous and tons smaller, it is true. than
that OF the Great Eastern. No less an
authority than Lindsay thinks that
she was simply raft OF stnpendous
size, having upon II "A structure resem-
bling huge warehouse. As no means
OF propulsion were necessary. this
description may he correct The
cargo. however. was unique, and
probably the largest and most valuable
ever carried.
The description OF the ark. as given
In the Scriptures. makes the vessel
about $50 feet in length. 75 feet In
breadth and 45 feet IN depth proper
Lions similar To those now in use to-
| lay for great vessels. But as the
agnostic is not sure that this lifeboat
Of the human race ever existed and
as the materallst is sure she never
vas built. let us take for example Of
big ancient vessels some other craft
vouched for upon the authority OF
profane and not sacred writer's. The
Egyptians, fond OF large things and
big dimensions. made the big tonnage
vessels OF ancient times
Ptolemy (Philopator) would have
appreciated the Great Eastern. He
was fond OF building big boats. One
OF these is said 10 have been 420 feet
long. 81 feet broad and ~ feet deep
from the highest point OF the stern.
| This vessel had four rudders. or what
tomc would call steering oars. as they
we're not fastened. each 10 feet long
She carried 1000 rowers. besides 81
100 marines. IA large body OF servants
ander her decks. and stores aud pro-
visions. Her oars were 81 feet long
aud the handles were weighted with
lead. There were 1000 rowers on "A
side, and II is supposed that these
were divided into i've banks. That
this extraordinary vessel ever put 10
sea Is doubted but that she was
launched and used at times. II only for
display. several historians are agreed
Another ship" the Thalamegus.
built for one OF the Ptolemies. is said
to have been 800 feet long 40 feet
broad and GO feet deep This was a
far more magnificent vessel than any
previous one. An Alexandrian his
torian, Catixenus. in describing her.
speaks Of her having colonnades.
marble stairs, and garden. Another
great vessel. historical by reason OF
its size. is one built by Hero king OF
Syracuse. Her dimensions are esti-
mated To be large from the description
decks and houses. She is supposed To
have been sheathed with lead. and ac-
complished at least one successful
trip. A full description OF her would
read somewhat like that OF one OF our
Long Island Sound or Hudson river
steamboats,. She had three entrances.
the lowest leading TO the hold. tho
second To the eating rooms and tho
third was appropriated to the soldiers.
There were thirty rooms. each having
four touches. for the soldiers; there
were fifteen touches In the sailors
supper room and there we're three
more cabins. each having three
touches. The floors OF all these
rooms were laid In stone mosaic work.
There was also temple Of cypress.
inlaid with ivory. aud dedicated TO
Venus. The mainmast was composed
OF single tree. and The vessel carried
four wooden aud eight iron anchors.
As a freight carrier she would rival
the LARGEST OF our ocean tramps. IL Is
recorded that one or two OF the
launches belonging TO her would carry
about eighty tons. This vessel Is said
TO have carried go. 900 measures Of
corn. 10. 600 jars OF SlcillIan salt fish.
20. 600 talents weight OF wool. and OF
other cargo 10000 talents. all OF which
was In addition 20 the provision re-
quircd for the crew" These are the
notably big vessels OF ancient times.
but the supposltion IL that as rulers.
syhothar kfn0 mr. roopto uo-a ~