08-02-2008, 05:56 PM
Quote:Well, as Endre said, the modern stern-post rudder is quite a different technology from a steering oar, whether there is one of them or two and regardless of where they are fastened. I think archaeologists don't like calling a single steering oar at the rear "a stern rudder" because that would confuse the two technologies.
Agreed. Let us rephrase to central rudders. I have found by now five different civilisations, so to speak, which each used a different suspension system:
1. Ancient Egypt: from 6th dynasty onwards
2. Rome: from 1st century AD onwards
3. China: from 1st century AD onwards
4. Arabs: : from 9th century AD onwards
5. Medieval Europe: : from 11th or 12th century AD onwards (pintle and gudgeon rudder)
The problem is that only the last version, the pintle and gudgeon rudder, had true global success (age of exploration), but some people like to set up smoke screens by pointing out the temporal priority of the Chinese and Arab version - which, however, were VERY differently suspended.
The only easy way to counter this is to point out the old age of the idea of mounting a rudder to the back of a ship (which, anyway, was not superior to quarter rudders for the longest time in history).
Admittedly, it is a bit looking for easy answer for people who wont listen to complex ones. But the alternative is to read all over the Internet accounts which are close to being outright wrong.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
