Trireme

  • The Trireme was the main War Galley of the Ancient World for over 1,000 years between 752 BCE to 324 CE.

History

  • It was invented either in Corinth, Greece, or Sidon, Phoenicia.
  • Thucydides mentions Corinth building four Triremes for Samos.
  • Herodotus mentions Necho II, the Pharaoh of Egypt (610-595 BCE), using Triremes on the Mediterranean, the Nile and the Red Sea, although it is disputed by Historians today as to whether he meant Triremes or Warships in general.

Samos 525 BCE

  • The first confirmed use of the Trireme is in 525 BCE by Herodotus, who states that Polycrates of Samos sent 40 Triremes to help the Persians invade Egypt.

The Heyday (525 BCE-324 CE)

  • The Navies of Greece, Rhodes, Carthage and Rome all used the Trireme.
    • Prefabrication of Trireme parts: Carthaginian Trireme
    • Cost of Greek triremes and Fleet 300 BCE
    • Portoria: Import Duties (Rhodian Navy paid for by this tax)

The last Trireme Battle (324 CE)

Weapons

Specifications

  • Rostrum:
    • The beak of the war galley, the curved prow.
  • The Hypozomata:
    • Was a bracing cable made from Hemp that tensioned the vessel from the Bow to the Stern. There were two cables, each twice the ship’s length, and two spares. Each was attached fore and aft and tightened by a windlass.
  • Banks of oars: 3
  • Length: 109 ft (33 m)
  • Width: 16 ft (5 m)
  • Draft: 3 ft (0.91 m)
  • Number of Oars 170: 85 per side in a triple bank.
  • Speed: 7 knots under oars and 14 knots under sail.
  • Range: limited by the water supply it could carry. each oarsman required about 8 litres per day.
  • Weight: 70 Tons
  • Crew: 201: Officers, Rowers, Sailors, Marines, Archers, Slingers, Catapulistas. Rowers: 170.
  • Weapons: Catapult, Hand held Ballistae, Grappling Hooks, Grapnels.

Miscellaneous

  • Scout vessels attached behind Galley.
  • Ability to carry water. Each sailor required 8 litres per day. Night stops for water were essential.
  • Vulnerabllity to ‘Swamping’: whole fleets were lost in storms.
  • Waterlogging: Galleys had to be beached or pulled out of the water each night, or they became waterlogged.
  • Roman Horse Galley:
    • The Athenians used refitted Triremes with only 60 oars, so as to leave space for the horses. The romans also had Horse Transports, and probably did the same.

Trireme Crew

  • Commissioned Officers (6):
    1. Captain/ Trierarch
      • This was the Master, above the Gubernatore.
      • A squadron of ten triremes would be commanded by a Navarch.
      • A Fleet of 60 triremes would be commanded by a Prefect from the Equestrian class, for 4-5 years.
    2. Centurion/ Marine captain
      • In charge of the military duties of the Sailors (all trained as soldiers- ‘milites classiarius) and the Marines.
    3. Beneficiarus/ Grammateus
      • Legionary Tribune-Equestrian – No 2 to the Captain.
    4. Steersman/ Gubernatore
      • He was below the captain and Beneficiarus, acting as both helmsman and pilot. Effectively, in charge of the vessel, but not making strategic decisions.
    5. Chief Rowing Officer/ Celeusta (Boatswain?)
      • Loudhailer.
    6. Bow Officer/Prorates
      • In charge of the Bow Deck and Lookout.
  • Ratings (9): (non-commissioned officers)
    1. Quartermaster/ Nauphylax
      • Steering oar holder
    2. Boatswain/ Officer
      • In charge of sails and rigging
    3. Doctor/
      • Medicus
    4. Oiler
      • Olive oil applied to sailors backs
    5. Carpenter
    6. Oar thong man
    7. Pitulus/Auletes
      • Drummer/Piper
    8. Optio
      • Second in command to Centurion
    9. Signafer
      • Signals officer

Stern Deck

  • Watch: (5)
    • Sailors: 5 (also rowers)
  • Marines: (6)
    • Archers: 2
    • Marines: 4

Bow Deck: (before the mast)

  • Officers: 1
    • Bow Officer/ Prorates
      • In charge of the Bow Deck
  • Ratings: 2
    • Optio:
      • Centurion’s Aide
    • Armourer:
  • Bow Deck: Watch: (5)
    • 5 sailors (also rowers)
  • Bow Deck: Marines: (9)
    • 2 Artillerymen (for 1 catapult)
    • 2 Archers
    • 5 Marines
  • Total Crew: 201

In Brief

  • Total Crew: 201
    • Officers 6
    • Ratings 10
    • Sailors 10 (who were also rowers)
    • Marinus 15 (Marines)
    • Remiges 170: (Rowers or Remex, if singular)
      • Top: 62 Thranites (includes 10 sailors)
      • Middle: 54 Zygites
      • Bottom: 54 Thalamites
        • Oars could be stowed under the seat, or sticking out either side like a Byzantine Dromon, which had a sail draped over the whole deck.
  • All sailors were termed ‘Milites’ meaning soldiers, but to distinguish them from the army, they were called ‘milites classiarius or classicus’.
  • Each ship was classed as a ‘centuria’, with the Centurion in charge, and an Optio as his number two.

WW II Destroyer Officer List

  • Commanding Officer: Captain (Skipper)
  • Executive Officer:  Navigator (Number One or XO)
  • First Lieutenant: Damage Control
  • Gunnery Officer: (Guns)
  • Engineer Officer:
  • Medical Officer: (MO)
  • Communications Officer: (Comms)
  • Commissary Officer: Stores
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