The document traces the development of boats over thousands of years, from early rafts made of tied logs to modern hydrofoils. It describes how early boats evolved from hollowed out log canoes to reed boats used by the Egyptians. Viking longboats introduced sailing and oar-powered warships. Later developments included Chinese junks with compartments and rudders, clipper ships, steamships powered without sails or oars, ocean liners like the Titanic, and finally modern hydrofoils that ride above the water for minimal resistance and high speed. The document provides a brief history of boat technology from primitive rafts to advanced modern vessels.
2. Timber Rafts
Many thousands of years ago, a raft made by tying
several logs together with creepers, was the first
kind water transport that a person could steer. In
this previous photo you can see that rafts are still
used today, to carry people and goods across rivers
and lakes.
3. Log Rafts
Later people made the first real boats by hollowing
out logs. In the photo you can see a boat has been
hollowed out in the middle to create a boat shape.
A coating of tar kept the boat waterproof.
4. Log Rafts
This had been developed for faster travel since
faster speed means more trade. This promoted
more criminals for raids while the log raft was slow
and large but this design revolutionized a new era
for mercenaries and outlaws.
5. First Sailing Boats
In 4000 B.C, Boat builders in Egypt started to use
reeds to build what were the first sailing boats. The
Egyptians first used it further investment in far off
places. They made the sails with leather which
caught wind easily. By 2500 B.C, the Egyptians could
start making boats that could sail the seas.
6. Viking Long Boats
These ships has sails also with 60 oarsmen who
could row simultaneously . The longboat were long
and narrow so the ships could sail and travel on the
open sea and on rivers too. So now when the
nations went to war they could get closer to the
mainland instead of at the nations edge. One cant
leave the history of boats without the Vikings.
7. Chinese Junks
Chinese boats were sailing boats with a rudder for
steering the boat, battens on the sail for greater
strengths, and waterproof compartments long
before the western ships had them. They were used
for fighting and transport ships. Since the ships
weren't prepared to war when the British came
they were taken 5 ships to 1. After the invasion they
expanded the boat to be able to put cannons on.
8. Frigates
The first frigate was made in the 1800s. These were
the prime ships in the time where it contained 3
masts, not just of one. Many people thought this
was impossible since a ship that had to be that big
would sink or wouldn'tt be efficient. These started
to be known as clipper ships. These ships had one
of the most vital points in wars and trade.
9. Steamships
Steamships were a revolutionary and stunning idea
which had been invented in France by someone
called Claude-Fran巽ois-Doroth辿e. He is not
officially said to make the perfect designer but is
given credit as the one who made the idea and set
practices. For the first time in History they would
not need oars or sails. It was the S.S Savannah that
crossed the Atlantic sea.
10. Steamships
Steamships were the new counter balance for the
price of hiring men. At that point in time peoples
payload were going up drastically and the price of
hire cracked some companies down. Since the
steamboat didn'tt need as much people to operate
it boosted the naval businesses considerably.
11. Ocean Liners
The Titanic. It was one of the most developed and
luxurious cruise there was on the theory that it
couldn'tt be sunk. It was sunk ironically as 5 of the
16 air pressure valves were burst with the collision.
The only reason it failed was because of the
collision. The Titanic was awarded the Olympic
standard ship which only had 10 in the world.
Ocean liners were developing in the time since
there were emerging world leaders.
12. Hydrofoil
Hydrofoils are now one of the fastest transport on
the sea. Surprisingly it was built nearly 30 years
ago. This is because since the boats are above the
water there is no resistance. It was first invented in
England by someone called John Isaac Thornycroft.
He was finding ways of air lubrication and
happened to discover hydrofoils in the process.
Back then there were plenty of ships that could
carry heavy loads, large ships and so on they
decided to make a ship which was fitted with
smoothness and speed.
13. Bibliography
"Ships: A Timeline." Ships: A Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.
"Ships and Boats." Ancient Egypt:. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2012.
Development of Viking Ships and Norse Wooden Boats. N.p., n.d. Web. 9
Dec 2005.
Davis, Charles G. American Sailing Ships: Their Plans and History. New
York: Dover Publications, 1984. Print.
"Viking Ships." Viking Ships. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar 2008.