01-28-2005, 10:34 PM
Quote: In all the reliefs they have spears, though I think that would be poorly suited to fighting on ships.<br>
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I used to think the same thing, but after some digging (and shear luck ) I found out that a spear was one of the most useful defensive weapons on board ship. Navies issued spears called boarding pikes up into the age of steam powered steel battle ships. (The last new pattern issued by the Royal Navy was in 1888 and was carried up into the 1900's.) They were excellent for knocking out boarders before they reached the defenders' ship. On the other hand, they weren't as convenient as swords for offensive action as they required 1 hand to carry and 2 to use to maximum potential while a sword could be used with one hand and carried in a manner that left both hands free, very handy when trying to scramble onto a ship.<br>
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Vadormarius/Jim <p></p><i></i>
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I used to think the same thing, but after some digging (and shear luck ) I found out that a spear was one of the most useful defensive weapons on board ship. Navies issued spears called boarding pikes up into the age of steam powered steel battle ships. (The last new pattern issued by the Royal Navy was in 1888 and was carried up into the 1900's.) They were excellent for knocking out boarders before they reached the defenders' ship. On the other hand, they weren't as convenient as swords for offensive action as they required 1 hand to carry and 2 to use to maximum potential while a sword could be used with one hand and carried in a manner that left both hands free, very handy when trying to scramble onto a ship.<br>
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Vadormarius/Jim <p></p><i></i>
