08-06-2006, 08:43 PM
I would like to highlight that ramming impact was taken not only by ram but by wales - strong wooden timbers running alongside at sea level full length from bow to stern - wales are very important construction strengthening members of the hull.
I suppose P. Lilius Frugius Simius is correct that ramming was done by much reduced speed since impact with 9 knots might be disastrous for attacker, too. The ramming ship may simply slow down by taking in the oars just few seconds before the impact, let say the crew could do it in 5 seconds, so the travelled way would be some 20 m. Crew on ramming ship should lie down to protect themself from injury caused by impact. Such a small speed as 2 knots is enough to penetrate the wooden planking with ram, since the inertia of 40-50 tons is transferred to a very small area of ram.
I suppose P. Lilius Frugius Simius is correct that ramming was done by much reduced speed since impact with 9 knots might be disastrous for attacker, too. The ramming ship may simply slow down by taking in the oars just few seconds before the impact, let say the crew could do it in 5 seconds, so the travelled way would be some 20 m. Crew on ramming ship should lie down to protect themself from injury caused by impact. Such a small speed as 2 knots is enough to penetrate the wooden planking with ram, since the inertia of 40-50 tons is transferred to a very small area of ram.
Martin
