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64 Sayurusara 2021 June
Necessity Evolution of Propulsion: Long bamboo -Oars – Cordelle (a long
rope) -Helm - Sail - Paddle wheel - Screw propeller
Modern day naval warfare is so developed with 3
dimensional capabilities. Meaning; Seagoing units would The Age of Galley Warfare
fight on surface, air and underwater. Modern day surface ships
can precisely hit another surface or shore target thousands A Galley: A Warship in
of miles away using guided missiles. Development of 1000 BC
underwater warfare was significant with the rise of nuclear
submarines which said to be the most lethal weapon out at A galley is a type of ship propelled by rowers at
sea with its stealthy features and endurance underwater. It the early stage that originated in the Mediterranean region
is capable of taking an air target being submerged and can and was used for warfare, trade and piracy from the first
fire Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) reaching millennium BC. A structural keel is a large beam around
more than 10,000kms too. Naval power projection is mainly which the hull of a ship is built. Galleys being relatively
achieved through Aircraft carriers, identified as the symbol unseaworthy; war at sea among the ancients was always
of naval supremacy aftermath of WW2; gaining the range near land. Pictures of billowing sails notwithstanding,
advantage enabling an attack to any place in the world. masts and canvas were stowed for battle, and oars were
the means of propulsion. The most destructive weapon
These achievements of modern-day naval warfare was a ‘Ram’ in the bow, which dictated a line abreast as
are very much known to most of us. Yet, how it is evolved the tactical formation by which the ram of each vessel
over the centuries was not that known. It is said that, there unobstructed by the friendly ships on either side. In the
are some significant eras and events paved the way for the line abreast, two lines of opposing galleys approached
modern-day status of naval warfare. Those are noticed as; each other head on, Momentum (P=mV) was the key to
the ram’s destructiveness, so that sprint speed; as much as
a. Discovery of Gunpowder, 7-8 knots, was as important as maneuver.
b. Discovery of new lands (countries) and religious
expansion, RammingT Tactic: Battle of Salamis (480 BC) Ath-
c. Industrial revolution (18th and 19th century) in the ens and Greek states Vs Persia
Europe and
d. Two world wars and the era of cold war.
Some people believe that Sri Lanka is centuries
behind in terms of technological advances in naval warfare
than the other developed countries. Yet, aftermath of the
internal conflict, which is viewed by many as the main cause
behind for any drawback as a nation; now we are eagerly
working towards becoming a maritime nation with Blue water
Naval capabilities stepping up from the Brown.
It is a universal fact that, knowing the history is
an important aspect of development. Hence, it is deemed
interesting to know how the naval warfare was evolved.
Therefore, this attempt is to explore historic development
of naval warfare starting from the initial days of watercraft,
paying special attention to the methods of fighting,
technological advances and the tactics.
Evolution of Ships and Craft
It is apparent that there are four main considerations
when designing a waterborne vehicle (ship/craft). They are
floatability, Stability, Unsinkability and Maneuverability.
Historic development of ship technology evolved from raft to
canoe and then wooden ship so as means of propulsion also
from Bamboo to screw propeller.
From Raft to Canoe to Wooden Ship
Necessity Evolution of Propulsion: Long bamboo -Oars – Cordelle (a long
rope) -Helm - Sail - Paddle wheel - Screw propeller
Modern day naval warfare is so developed with 3
dimensional capabilities. Meaning; Seagoing units would The Age of Galley Warfare
fight on surface, air and underwater. Modern day surface ships
can precisely hit another surface or shore target thousands A Galley: A Warship in
of miles away using guided missiles. Development of 1000 BC
underwater warfare was significant with the rise of nuclear
submarines which said to be the most lethal weapon out at A galley is a type of ship propelled by rowers at
sea with its stealthy features and endurance underwater. It the early stage that originated in the Mediterranean region
is capable of taking an air target being submerged and can and was used for warfare, trade and piracy from the first
fire Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) reaching millennium BC. A structural keel is a large beam around
more than 10,000kms too. Naval power projection is mainly which the hull of a ship is built. Galleys being relatively
achieved through Aircraft carriers, identified as the symbol unseaworthy; war at sea among the ancients was always
of naval supremacy aftermath of WW2; gaining the range near land. Pictures of billowing sails notwithstanding,
advantage enabling an attack to any place in the world. masts and canvas were stowed for battle, and oars were
the means of propulsion. The most destructive weapon
These achievements of modern-day naval warfare was a ‘Ram’ in the bow, which dictated a line abreast as
are very much known to most of us. Yet, how it is evolved the tactical formation by which the ram of each vessel
over the centuries was not that known. It is said that, there unobstructed by the friendly ships on either side. In the
are some significant eras and events paved the way for the line abreast, two lines of opposing galleys approached
modern-day status of naval warfare. Those are noticed as; each other head on, Momentum (P=mV) was the key to
the ram’s destructiveness, so that sprint speed; as much as
a. Discovery of Gunpowder, 7-8 knots, was as important as maneuver.
b. Discovery of new lands (countries) and religious
expansion, RammingT Tactic: Battle of Salamis (480 BC) Ath-
c. Industrial revolution (18th and 19th century) in the ens and Greek states Vs Persia
Europe and
d. Two world wars and the era of cold war.
Some people believe that Sri Lanka is centuries
behind in terms of technological advances in naval warfare
than the other developed countries. Yet, aftermath of the
internal conflict, which is viewed by many as the main cause
behind for any drawback as a nation; now we are eagerly
working towards becoming a maritime nation with Blue water
Naval capabilities stepping up from the Brown.
It is a universal fact that, knowing the history is
an important aspect of development. Hence, it is deemed
interesting to know how the naval warfare was evolved.
Therefore, this attempt is to explore historic development
of naval warfare starting from the initial days of watercraft,
paying special attention to the methods of fighting,
technological advances and the tactics.
Evolution of Ships and Craft
It is apparent that there are four main considerations
when designing a waterborne vehicle (ship/craft). They are
floatability, Stability, Unsinkability and Maneuverability.
Historic development of ship technology evolved from raft to
canoe and then wooden ship so as means of propulsion also
from Bamboo to screw propeller.
From Raft to Canoe to Wooden Ship
