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Oarsmen from Warwick University were sent to the galleys - to test out the design of an
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Oarsmen from Warwick University were sent to the galleys - to test out the design of an
Oarsmen from Warwick University were sent to the galleys - to test out the design of an ancient Greek warship. They were rowing a Coventry-made replica section of a trireme, a warship propelled by oarsmen sitting on three levels, in the sheltered waters of the moat at Coombe Abbey. And the 11 Warwick University Boat Club members, who normally row narrow lightweight fibreglass fours on the River Avon, pronounced the 2, 500-year-old design thoroughly workable. After only half an hours practise they were able to keep time together and develop a great deal of thrust in the unfamilair vessel, which was moored to the bank. The £ 40, 000 replica section was built by Coventry Boatbuilders Co-operative at the Arches Industrial Estate, Spon end, Coventry. It was paid for by the Trireme Trust, set up by a Cambridge banker after a prolonged public debate about Trireme design in The Times newspaper. For designer John Coates, a retired naval architect, the successful trial came at the end of years of detective work, using archeological and literary evidence. For example, a Greek anecdote about a slack sailor being punished by having his head tied in an oar port gave clues as to how big the ports must have been.
21st June 1985
Coventry Telegraph Archive
Mirrorpix
Coventry
West Midlands
England
Media ID 21574708
© Mirrorpix
Boating Coventry Design Experiment Hobbies Park Past Times Ship Students Rowers
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Oarsmen from Warwick University test ancient Greek warship design in a Coventry-made replica section of a trireme. The 11 members of the Warwick University Boat Club took to the waters of Coombe Abbey's moat to put their rowing skills to the ultimate test. Sitting on three levels, just like their ancient counterparts, these modern oarsmen were able to synchronize their movements effortlessly after only half an hour of practice. The 2,500-year-old design proved thoroughly workable as they generated impressive thrust in this unfamiliar vessel. The £40,000 replica section was meticulously crafted by Coventry Boatbuilders Co-operative and funded by the Trireme Trust, established by a Cambridge banker following extensive discussions about Trireme design in The Times newspaper. Years of research and detective work led designer John Coates, a retired naval architect, to create this remarkable piece based on archaeological findings and literary evidence. One intriguing clue came from an anecdote about a slack sailor being punished with his head tied in an oar port – shedding light on the size requirements for these ports. This successful trial marked a significant milestone for Coates' tireless efforts and demonstrated that ancient Greek warships still possess practicality even after centuries have passed. This print captures not only the dedication of these young oarsmen but also showcases how history can come alive through meticulous reconstruction and passionate exploration.
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