Trirremes of yesteryear

1988/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Giza zientziak

Between 600 and 300 years before the beginning of the Christian era, the trirreme was the largest warship in the eastern Mediterranean. Eleven stories and epic tales cite this ship and its name is due to the existence of three rows of rowers on either side. VI. Since the 20th century it has been completely forgotten.

Five years ago English specialists, after talking about the idea of building a trirreme in the post-cenal conversation, made the decision to do so. The work was not for fans, including John Coates, chief architect of the British army. After analyzing the plans and descriptions of antiquity, the work began, which was launched on the Greek coast last summer.

The shipyard has been built with Oregon pine, as currently in the Mediterranean area pines do not grow as much. It has 39 m of length, 22 tons of displacement and 130 cm of draft. There are stands for 170 rowers in three rows and only those in the top row see the sea. Trirreme is faster than expected: With 28-30 strokes per minute it reaches the speed of 21.7 knots. That without opening a candle.

Trirremea certainly deserved fame.