As you probably know, I continue developing the second chapter about war galleys.
The updated book outline looks as such:
Introduction: The Galley vs. the Round Ship. The first draft is ready, with many additions waiting for their turn.
Unit I: Light Galleys
Chapter 1: Early War Galleys. The first draft is ready, with many additions waiting for their turn.
Chapter 2: Later War Galleys, is in process. The initial plan should include four parts:
a. The Monster Galley: Vettor Fausto's Quinquereme.
b. Rowing a scaloccio
c. "Galley Slaves"
d. Gallea alla pontina
The first two parts are ready, the third needs rearrangement, and the fourth requires additional research. Besides, I may add data about maximum displacement, dimensions, sailing season, water supply, and purpose-built galleys.
Common knowledge asserts that war galleys were relevant until the Battle of Lepanto (1571), giving way to galleasses and ships of the line (sailing ships). During my research, I learned that galley fleets of leading Mediterranean states existed until the mid-eighteenth century, patrolling the coast, supporting amphibian raids, and fighting with pirates and corsairs. They enhanced the royal prestige and served as floating prisons for multiple "galley slaves."
I added a few details about the quinquereme project. Its designer, Vettor Fausto, continued to work in the Arsenal as a naval architect even after the fiasco of his monster galley. The papal fleet adopted the model in the late 1560s as its flagship, but the galley, burnt by lightning at sea, did not participate in the Battle of Lepanto.
Chapters 3 and 4, with the working titles "Tactics" and "The shipborne artillery," need extensive research.
