APPENDICES.
APPENDIX No. 1.
Note by Rev. J. O. W. Haweis on the rowing of ancient Galleys.
On a fine summer evening, when the author was seated beneath the tall elm-trees which overshadow his residence at Shepperton, on the banks of the Thames, he had the pleasure of a visit, accompanied by the Rector of the parish, from the Rev. J. O. W. Haweis, of Colwood, Crawley, in the county of Sussex. The author at the moment was in the midst of various calculations, endeavouring to solve the vexed problem of how the galleys of the ancients were rowed. As Mr. Haweis took an interest in scientific pursuits, he handed to him for consideration the notes he had made on the subject of rowing galleys, calling his attention to the fact that all ancient authors had spoken of the operation as being accompanied by the sound of music. Curious to know how a gentleman of his turn of mind would deal with the question, the author requested to be favoured with Mr. Haweis’s views on the subject under consideration. The following notes and illustrations are the result. Though he does not think they solve the problem, or would be applicable to the various descriptions of ancient galleys of which accounts have been preserved, they are sufficiently novel and ingenious as to be worthy of preservation.
“I merely propose,” remarks Mr. Haweis, “a possible quinquereme, which I imagine might be practically navigated. I am well aware that there is no reason to suppose it the actual plan of any ancient galley. The two sketches will explain themselves.
“I assume the interior breadth as from 27 to 30 feet at the largest part.
“The highest rowlock as 9 feet, the lowest 3 feet from water-line.
“The interior fittings waterproof to the height of 6 feet.
“The lower and second rowlocks, closeable at will by the rower drawing a plug from without, as the rising sea makes them useless.
“The disposition of rowlocks would thus be, for a set:—
I cannot find any other way in which to avoid collisions.
“The oars are 9 feet, 13 feet, 18 feet, 24 feet 6 inches, and 35 feet. The long oars have handles thus:—
and feather in reverse, by the pusher dropping his hands, and so helping to recover the puller.
“Any two of these oars might be pulled in time with that next above or below it without much inconvenience, but the loss of power in thus working 1 and 5 would be enormous.
“Let 5 and 4 pull together to beat of drum; four strokes and returns to eight beats—
“Let 3 pull two strokes and returns—
“Let 2 keep time with 3, the men advancing and retreating two steps.
“Let 1 take four steps forward in the two bars, and return in the same time.
“Thus all commence the stroke together; 2 and 3 renew the impulse at the bar; 4 and 5 do the same at half-bar.
“The beat of drum would be accented thus:—
“Thus all would work together, and each man have the beginning of his stroke marked.
“There might be also a deck or gangway on each side for the protection of the men from sun and rain.
“Very large sweeps were exhibited as in actual use in the Exhibition of 1851, if I remember right.
“From some rude experiments with fir poles, I think 35-feet oars could be efficiently handled.
“The lower tiers would ship first, and the hands assist the upper.
“These are mere notions; but if they should be new to you, I shall be glad I entertained them.”