| True to scale models of sailing ships are prized | | | | felled from Maine to Georgia. Her cannons were cast |
| collectors' items. A beautiful model made of rosewood, | | | | in Rhode Island. She won every battle and earned her |
| mahogany or teak displayed in a corporate office | | | | nickname of "Old Ironsides", when a sailor saw a |
| foyer, a museum, or library of a great mansion can | | | | cannonball bounce off her hull. In the Boston harbor, |
| also be a history lesson for the viewer. | | | | she is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the |
| Ships under sail have, through the years, played an | | | | world and is still part of the U.S. Navy ship roster. |
| important role in the history of the world. Ancient | | | | Then there were the sailing ships that were built for |
| Egyptians learnt how to assemble planks of wood in | | | | trade. The Harvey was built in Mary land in 1847. and |
| to a watertight hull, sealing the seams with pitch. Later | | | | by the turn of the century, working out of Galveston, |
| some Egyptian ships, in addition to being propelled by | | | | Texas, she was making regular voyages to Jaffa, |
| oarsmen, had a primitive square sail attached to an A | | | | which at the time was still under the Ottoman Empire. |
| frame. It is thought that Phoenician ships were similar. | | | | Her main cargo was hemp, which was used to make |
| Some sailing ships were built for war and some for | | | | rope for the rigging of sailing ships. |
| trade. The Xebec, with its three masts, was used for | | | | The Cutty Sark was another sailing ship built for trade. |
| centuries in the Mediterranean as a merchant ship | | | | She was built in Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869. She was |
| because of its speed and shallow draft. It was also the | | | | used for the China Tea trade until 1873, followed by |
| vessel of choice for pirates for attacking heavily laden | | | | twenty years of passage between England and |
| slow merchant ships. Oars could also be used when | | | | Australia. After 1895, she served under the Portuguese |
| the wind failed, or in addition to the sails when fleeing | | | | flag for twenty five years. She now belongs to the |
| the authorities! | | | | Thames Nautical Training College and is dry-docked at |
| The San Felipe, launched in 1690, was built by the king | | | | Greenwich, England. |
| of Spain.- decidedly as a warship, with hundreds of | | | | In early American marine activities, the tug boats were |
| cannons. Her ornamentation did make her more | | | | also under sail. The Seguin is a good example - she |
| beautiful than other ships of her time. | | | | was used for towing sailing ships up and down the |
| H.M.S. Victory was launched in 1765, and of course, it's | | | | Kennebec River, and for towing cargo barges along |
| well known that she took part in the Battle of | | | | the Atlantic coast from Maine to Virginia. |
| Trafalgar under the English flag - her powerful | | | | Models made to scale involve many hours of the |
| cannons could fire half a ton of iron shot more than a | | | | craftsman's time. Extensive research is required and |
| mile. Her final resting place was Portsmouth, England. | | | | original plans are studied. Fine details add to the |
| The USS Constitution, launched in 1797, was built in | | | | authenticity and the pleasure of owning a beautiful |
| Boston from timbers cut from more that 1500 trees, | | | | model. |