Cutwaters Before Rams: an experimental investigation into the origins and development of the waterline ram |
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| Authors: | William M Murray Larrie D Ferreiro John Vardalas Jeffrey G Royal |
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| Institution: | 1. University of South Florida, Dept. of History, Tampa, USA;2. Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, USA;3. IEEE History Center, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, USA;4. Program in Maritime Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, USA |
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| Abstract: | Students at Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ, USA) investigated the reasons for an elongated projection at the bow of Mediterranean galleys. Using a 1:20 base model adapted from the Trireme Trust's Olympias fitted with: 1) an elongated projection; and 2) a control bow similar to excavated merchant ships, tow‐tank tests were carried out at various speeds. Hydrodynamic resistance and power were calculated for each bow type. Above speeds corresponding to 6 knots, the cutwater bow significantly attenuated the model's bow waves when compared to the control bow. These results were then compared to those of the ship with a ram‐type bow from experiments conducted in 1985 at the National Technical University of Athens, which showed similar wave‐attenuating characteristics. |
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| Keywords: | cutwater ram bow galley trireme hydrodynamics |
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