The “thin helmet” a ship agile and thin, with only bridge, a move necessary by oars or lateen sails. It was uncomfortable ships, no shelter for the crew, forced to live outdoors, as the entire space of the hold was destinatao the already meager load capacity. However, the number of men on board, speed, maneuverability in combat and the ability to navigate even against the wind or, in his absence, the ship made it a safe, ideal for the war and for the transport of goods more valuable. It was the typical war galley used in the Mediterranean. In peacetime, could also perform commercial functions , particularly for the transport of goods and precious little bulky , given the limited availability of space in the hold.
The characteristics of the “Thin helmet” listed below are particular reference to the galleys armed by the Republic of Venice, between the thirteenth and eighteenth century , but are in fact extensible , with minor modifications, to all the Mediterranean navies of the same ages.It was only ships to the bridge, about 45 m long, 5 m wide . Bore two rows of about 25 banks in two rowers with two masts with lateen sail , mast and foremast said . Sometimes it could be added a third tree in the stern, said mezzanello . The sails were named Mizzen , reefs and artimon . The entire life on board took place outdoors on the deck, with the exception of the command tent erected at the stern.The teams were divided among sailors , engaged in the activities and nautical sails , and convicts , workers at the oars , in turn distinguishable, that free citizens voluntarily enrolled, conscripts in time of war to increase the crews , and, that is, prisoners of war and criminals condemned to the galleys . To these are added the units embarked military . The artillery, introduced since the fifteenth century , they went to replace , together with muskets , the traditional tools of the offense galleys : crossbows and catapults.The artillery were placed in the bow and stern, pointing along the direction of the route , to strike at hunting or fleeing .The main piece of artillery , positioned at the bow in line with the keel , was called cannon lane . The sides were minor pieces , said petrieri (usually eight in number ) and jibs (normally four in number ) . Even the stern was armed similarly, with about four petrieri and a falcon , said paretolo . The “Mude” was initially conducted in the early centuries with three rowers benches , each with a single oar of different lengths : this method allowed to reach high speeds , but it required a high skill on the part of the convicts to obtain the necessary coordination . With the gradual decline of the quality of the teams , due to the lower contribution of volunteers rowers, and the resulting increase in the number of strained , around the middle of the sixteenth century it passed to the simplest method to scaloccio , with five rowers bench , all agents on a single oar common .
San Marino 1963;30li;SG696. Bulgaria 1980;8s;SG?
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