I began to estimate the collected material on light galleys, the ultimate warships of the medieval Mediterranean.
In truth, many articles I picked concern other subjects, and I will retain them for the future. There are a lot of corrections and additional notes; some of them refer to Chapter 1. The previous chapter studies the main differences between galleys and round ships. While reading each file, I write "bits and pieces," even on familiar topics. That allows me to reconsider some paragraphs and add valuable data. I watch the growth of additional branches of the main issue and sometimes research them to realize if I can propose new developments to my storyline.
I am a little worried about the scope of my project. Chapter 1, designed as an introduction, grew very large, whereas Chapter 2 appears to be enormous. I wonder what I will do with this monster to make it readable. I can relentlessly cut the material, though I will lose essential facts.
I hope that I will convey the essence of my research.
As for the latest contributions, I have understood Latin shipwrights' role in improving the twelfth-century galley design. They added an outrigger, a rowers' frame superimposed on the deck. It enabled them to place two rowers on the same bench. These paddlers practiced stand-and-sit strokes, which improved the craft's speed. The new arrangement released much space in the hull for stowing armament, victuals, water, and spare parts.
I have to share with you a sample of my recent reading. Jeff Emanuel contributed to the book on the Phoenician and Punic Mediterranean.
https://www.academia.edu/40197955/Seafaring_and_Shipwreck_Archaeology_pp_423_433_in_the_Oxford_Handbook_of_the_Phoenician_and_Punic_Mediterranean_2019
The chapter connects Phoenician seafaring with the Canaanite maritime traditions. The Canaanites apparently introduced pegged mortice and tenon joints in their shell-first construction. Another innovation was the loose-footed sail and brailed rig, which enabled the sailors to modify the sail configuration according to weather vagaries.
