08-03-2008, 07:04 PM
As far as I know there were several different rudders being used in medieval and early modern east asia: one was a rope-supported system that could be raised and lowered, and was typically used with larger, ocean-going vessels, another a system where the rudder is directly fastened to the hull in a socketed area at the rear. I am uncertain as to their efficiency vs the pintle-and-gudgeon arrangement; probably this differs between ship designs as well. Previous though was that the chinese system was somehow transplanted to Europe during the 12th century and inspired the european rudder, but evidence for this is non-existent - considering that the p&g system differ so much from any of the chinese ones, the hypothesis is probably wrong.
As with the previous discussion about the lateen sail, a sternpost rudder does not automatically equate with better steering verseus the quarter rudder either. Quarter-rudders were the preferred rudders of galleys until these faded completely from the scene, as far as I know.
As with the previous discussion about the lateen sail, a sternpost rudder does not automatically equate with better steering verseus the quarter rudder either. Quarter-rudders were the preferred rudders of galleys until these faded completely from the scene, as far as I know.
