A Tale of the Two Watercraft Brands

 I'm not ready yet to unveil the outline of my current project titled "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation: Seafaring in the Medieval and Renaissance Mediterranean,"  but I will disclose a few details. The first part will be "The Age of the Galley." It consists of the intro, A Tale of the Two Watercraft Brands, and two chapters, Early War Galleys and Late War Galleys. 

The introduction is ready, at least as a magazine version, and I even uploaded it on the Academia site, not as one but as three articles:

https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

https://www.academia.edu/107397680/Sailing_Ships_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

https://www.academia.edu/109918628/Galleys_vs_Sailing_Ships_Comparison_and_Contrast

I am currently editing Chapter 1: Early War Galleys, which I divided into portions for possible magazine publication. 

I am also assessing the material collected for a new chapter based on the Battle of  Los Formigues. The extract will recreate the atmosphere of the Crusade against Aragon and the behavior of the Catalan fleet, first of all of its renowned admiral, Roger of Lauria.   

I delivered the second lecture about sailing ships. I plan to prepare the third one to compare the performance of galleys and commercial ships. 

Battle of Meloria

 A friend asked me whether I retell the known circumstances in my writing. I find it a tricky issue. Of  course, I base my narrative on familiar descriptions, trying to relate the events in my words. I search for lively expressions to convey the meaning. However, I check the well-known descriptions with the sources, applying logic to estimate the value of both the sources and modern rendering. 

I have recently finished writing a new chapter, The Battle of Meloria (August 6, 1284), which pitted the Pisan and Genoese fleets in the view of Porto Pisano. 

Before that, the Pisan fleet made an abortive effort to blockade the port of Genoa, taking advantage of the fact that a decent-sized Genoese squadron under Benedetto Zaccaria engaged elsewhere. The Ligurian war council recalled the ships, and Zaccaria entered the harbor unharmed. How could it be when the Pisans surrounded the entrance to the port? Why didn't the Genoese attempt to squeeze the less powerful rival navy and dispel it in the open sea? There were answers to these questions when I ran across a reliable source. View Paul Crawford, The Templar of Tyre. [446] (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2003), 89. The chronicler claims that the Pisans were aware of foul weather and anticipated the arrival of the Genoese reserve, which joined the main fleet in pursuit of the escaping opponents. It's so much clearer!

The second reservation concerns the battle itself. Before the contact, both sides threw liquid soap and hot oil to make the enemy decks slippery. However, the adversaries intended to board the hostile ships. How slippery decks would help them? Nobody explains this. 

Some historians describe that the Pisan fleet attacked the Genoese late in the afternoon, with the sun in their (Pisan) eyes. However, the Templar of Tyre claims that the combat continued from morning till  sunset (until the Vespers). Is it probable that the Pisans started the battle with the sun in their eyes? They might have a fair wind on their side. In some versions, authors claim that though the priest's staff fell while blessing the fleet, the Pisans said that with the fair wind, they could overcome their rivals even without the Lord's help. 

What next? I commenced collecting data on Roger of Lauria, the renowned admiral of the Catalan fleet. I ran across Charles Stanton's book on Roger and enjoy reading it.

   https://dokumen.pub/roger-of-lauria-c1250-1305-admiral-of-admirals-1783274530-9781783274536.html

The author is a former naval officer, a good researcher, and an excellent writer. I want to choose one battle and elaborate on it. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_of_Lauria

 

The Siege of Chandax (3)

 I have finished writing this chapter. It starts with a small introduction about Byzantine chronicles. I added this section because my narrative primarily draws from these chronicles, and I want   to caution the reader about their credibility. Often penned by monastic historians poorly versed in naval and military matters, they contain hagiographic material or facts biased by the witnesses' viewpoints and political agenda. I also attached the Reassessment, the summing up of my story. As usual, I will keep it on hold.

My next chapter will deal with the Battle of Meloria, August 1284, which pitted the Pisan and Genoese fleets off Porto Pisano. Like the Battle of Chandax, it was a decisive confrontation that put an end to the naval domination of the City on the Arno. It also supplies an excellent  example of the encirclement of  hostile forces, worth discussing in military academies.

I also received an OK from the Institute of  Integration coordinator for a series of lectures based on Chapter 1, Prelude: A Tale of the Two Watercraft Brands. My first lecture, appointed on November 13th, will speak about medieval galleys. To talk about shipping in the medieval and Early Modern Mediterranean, we must distinguish two  vessel types: galleys and so-called round ships. They differed in construction, choice of routes, length of sailing, and designation. My lectures and articles will open this topic for discussions.

The first two articles are available on my Academia page:

 https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

 

The Siege of Chandax (2)

 I spent some time collecting and evaluating material for my new topic. 

Last week, I started writing a first draft. I offer you its template (unfinished):

a. The Importance of Crete (on the geopolitical map)

b.  The Emirate of Crete (as the Muslim polity, ca. 824-961)

c. The Preparations for the Campaign (the energetic chief minister, the young emperor, and the head of the expedition)

d. The Voyage (we do not have the entire itinerary but only some stopovers)

e. The Landfall (The armada anchors at Crete, and Nikephoros Phokas conducts the pitched battle on the beach)

f. Setting the Military Camp (Pitching the siege camp in the view of Chandax. The Byzantine practice of setting up camps)

g. The Siege (The failure of the direct assault, the drawn-out confrontation, an attempt to starve out the besieged)

h. Guerilla Operations (The elimination of a Byzantine detachment and Phocas' revenge on Cretan partisans)

i. The Winter (The weather hardships fortified by running out of provisions and the chief minister's brave move to remedy the situation)

 I have written these items and now need to complete the chapter with the two additional items: the final assault on March 7, 961, and Phocas' triumph in Constantinople. I don't know yet about the Bottom Line. I might include it as the chapter's summing up or prefer to combine all chapter conclusions in an additional chapter at the unit's end. 

The second unit, titled "The Intricacies of Naval Warfare," includes five chapters, which is not all.

I wrote these lines two days ago. In the meantime, I added three additional sections:

a.       The Relations Between Muslim Allies

b.       The Final Assault

c.       The Triumph

I still have to develop several pages of notes to make necessary amendments. Last but least, I must write a conclusion to this chapter. 

 

The Siege of Chandax

 

My new chapter is called "The Siege of Chandax." This city, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (c. 924-961), was under siege by the Byzantine army between July 960 and March 961. Despite the numerical advantage, it took the general Nikephoros Phokas over seven months to take over the fortified location. 

It was a great victory since Crete, the erstwhile Roman enclave, was under Muslim domination for nearly 140 years. The island lay at the crossroads of routes connecting Greece, Anatolia, Cyprus, the Levant, and Egypt, i.e., the eastern Mediterranean. The Cretan navy endangered trade lanes in the Aegean, took control of several islands, and ravaged the mainland. 

The Emirate was a wealthy polity and a convenient way station for Egyptian and Syrian fleets poised against the East Roman Empire. 

There are many blank spots about Muslim Crete and the Byzantine recovery. I am trying to scramble through Byzantine and Arab sources to scribble a readable and trustworthy story. I will add the missing information from modern reports about the Roman and Arab armies. 

I have just uploaded a new article, "Sailing Ships in the Medieval Mediterranean," to Academia: https://www.academia.edu/107397680/Sailing_Ships_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

This is the second part of Chapter 1 of my research about shipping in the medieval and Renaissance Mediterranean. The first part is available at https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

Sailing ships took advantage of winds, tides, and currents but struggled with impaired mobility in windless seas. Due to technological imperfections, medieval vessels could not run against the wind. The bigger versions had no trouble crossing deep waters and did not require frequent layovers in ports. The passengers sustained traumatic experiences during the squalls. The Mediterranean was not closed for shipping in the winter.

The Portage of Ships across the Isthmus

 I will devote this chapter to the Byzantine admiral, Niketas Ooryphas's indigenous decision  to transfer his dromons along the long-forgotten land route across the Isthmus of Corinth. He did this unusual deed to catch his opponent, Photios, the admiral of the Cretan Muslim fleet, off guard. I picked up this character because I want to show the tactical depth of medieval naval commanders. 

This chapter belongs to Unit II of my project, The Intricacies of Naval Warfare. Up until now, it has included four chapters:

      1.  Naval Factories, where I describe medieval naval bases.  

       2. The Battle of Ad Decimum. The collision of the Byzantine Empire with the Vandals, without a maritime battle but with the participation of the East Roman fleet, where we, for the first time, discern the use of dromons. 

       3. The Omayyad Siege of Constantinople (August 717-August 718). An amphibian battle with the use of liquid fire and weaponizing food supplies. 

       4. The Portage of Ships across the Isthmus 

       I have plans for four additional battles and more, covering the period 6-15 centuries. For example, the Byzantine reconquest of Crete seems a highly encouraging topic. 

      I recently contacted with my publishing house for online marketing of my second book, "The Enchanting Encounters with the East." 

The Intricacies of Naval Warfare (1)

 The new trend is taking shape. The material is so vast that the title, "The Intricacies of Naval Warfare," will cover the entire book unit instead of individual chapters. The content will spread via the sixth-fourteenth centuries and include the main battles viewed through their strategy and tactics. As an epithet, I chose the following extract from Thucydides: “Sea power is a matter of skill; it is not possible to get practice in the odd moment when the chance occurs, but it is a full-time occupation leaving no moment for other things.”

I had another look at Chapter 1, Naval Factories, and made minor corrections to this solid piece describing how shipyards looked like, which facilities they encompassed, and which workers they engaged. 

Chapter 2, The Battle of Ad Decimum (September 13, 533), is a land battle that pitted the Byzantine army commanded by General Belisarius against the Vandal army headed by King Gelimer. I stopped on this episode as it required the fleet's transportation from Constantinople to Carthage and the first appearance of the powerful East Roman fleet (I mean, warships and not only merchantmen carrying troops and ammunition). Currently, I arrange my bits and pieces for a compelling narrative. 

Chapter 3, The Omayyad Siege of Constantinople (August 717-August 718), is ready. 

Other chapters will include the battles of Corfu, Maloria, Malta, and Acre. I give no details because I have yet to study these combats profoundly. I will decide on the Battle of Corinth, whose main episode was the portage of ships across the Isthmus of Corinth, check other contributions of Roger of Lauria, except the classical Battle of Malta, and delve into episodes of Genoese-Venetian Wars, other than the Battle of Acre. 

Meanwhile, the first extract of the future project is available. 

https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean 

I plan to upload the second piece later in the year. 

The Umayyad Siege of Constantinople (717-8)

 

A restored section of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_(717%E2%80%93718) 

I have completed a draft of the first section of a new chapter about the Second Siege of Constantinople, a joint land and naval operation supervised by Maslama al-Malik, the caliph's brother and an adept general. 

  Emperor Leo Isaurian did not have a robust fleet to prevent the Arab navy from plying through the Turkish Straits as far as the walls of Constantinople. However, Byzantine engineers equipped their dromons with the Greek Fire, the secret weapon whose emotional impact rose over its destructive force. Its initial use pressured the Arab ship to take distance from the walls.  

It is unfair to ascribe Byzantine success only to this powerful weapon. The Greeks demonstrated  better tactics and managed to combine their limited means to wade off the aggressor. 

It became clear that the key to the successful siege of the Imperial City was naval support, and the Greeks had to do their best to bar access to the Marmara Sea from the Dardanelles to foreign navies.  

---------------------------

I made a new draft of the second section of Chapter I, titled "Sailing Ships in the Medieval Mediterranean." 

Before uploading it on my Academia page, I want to offer it to history magazines or online editions. They usually demand exclusive publication.

https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael  

The article delves into the world of the so-called round ships, which primarily served as freighters, even when pressed into service as part of the fleet.

I comment on sailing ships’ propulsion and behavior in flat calms and storms.  I speak about choosing appropriate sailing styles and debunk the myth of the “closed sea.” 

The article numbers about 3000 words, including endnotes.

-------------------------------

 I collected data for the second section of a chapter about naval tactics: the Battle of Corfu (November 1084) between the Norman and Venetian fleets. Though I am sure about the Battle of Meloria (August 1284) and Malta (June 1283), I am still trying to decide on further chunks.

The Employment of Fleets in the Medieval Mediterranean

My interest in the topic encourages me to go even further. Last month I received over 2.8 K views from the readers of my blog: an all-time record. 

There is little to report about this week. I completed collecting data about the East Roman fleets, which knew several bouts of boom and bust. I realized that a better option would be to compare the opposing navies, e.g., the Byzantines vs. Arabs, the Normans vs. Byzantines, the Venetians vs. Genoese, and the Venetians vs. Ottomans. Demanding research, but only after finishing it will I be able to decide whether my current chapter makes water. 

I am now checking the Norman fleet vs. Byzantium, i.e., the foundation of the Norman fleet in South Italy and Sicily and the Norman invasion of the Balkans. This is a preliminary stage, which will take a lot of time. However, without this basic knowledge, I will have nothing to say about the blue powers' strategy and tactics in the Mediterranean. If I decide to cover the Renaissance, I must add a section about the confrontation between the Ottomans and the Spanish. The newly discovered data may change my conclusions in previous chapters about the development of war galleys.

I have uploaded a new paper 

https://www.academia.edu/104456432/War_galleys_in_the_Medieval_Mediterranean

This is the initial part of the first chapter of the new project on shipping in the medieval and renaissance Mediterranean. The article delves into galleys as omnipresent warships in the medieval Mediterranean. It analyses their performance, propulsion, sailing mode, and behavior on choppy seas. The paper elaborates on the craft's freeboard, wintering, and provisioning. The concluding section sums up the storyline. I have launched a discussion on this paper so that every reader may join. Unfortunately, Academia disconnected the  notification function of 1 K academics related to this field. 

Intricacies of Naval Warfare

 This title of a new chapter, in which I will elaborate on naval arsenals and the employment of fleets, is still in diapers. I wrote an extract about the former and began checking the material about the latter. 

I realized that speaking about Mediterranean fleets needs to be more professional. Instead of referring to all naval activities at one blow, I must consider the Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Venetian, Genoese, Catalan/Spanish, and Ottoman navies. Until now, I evaluated the data about the Byzantine navy and began developing what I dub "bits & pieces." I transferred some of these "odds and ends" to the first two chapters: "A Tale of the Two Watercraft Brands" and "Early War Galleys." 

I want to analyze the strategy of leading fleets and what tactics their admirals chose to implement the task instead of describing concrete battles. 

I will give you a few snapshots of my studies--the first concerns Byzantine horse transports, i.e., cargo galleys designed to haul chargers. Some scholars argue about the number of animals. Here is my approach.

A medieval horse with a withers height of 12-14 hands weighed about 550 kilograms and required 36 liters of water daily. The standard weight of 12 horses was 6.5 tons. We must add 430 liters of water, to say nothing about food and equipment. The galley's displacement was 25-30 tons deadweight. 

Since the animals occupied the hold, fifty rowers on the upper bank propelled these transports. The lack of breathing space in the hold allowed the stabling of only horses. Of course, such boats moved slower than dromons, but that was evident, and the commander had to make tough decisions. To send them ahead of the fleet under the convoy of warships or to tow them by galleys to the shore? Like standard galleys, they had a shallow draft and could approach the shore. 

A few words about battle formation: the semicircle order was, first of all, a means of defense. The ships in the deep could afford missile fire,and only the vessels on the ends, usually the strongest ones, could engage in grappling. On the other hand, when the fleet advanced, it could encircle the opponent's navy.

 When the commander split the fleet into lines, friendly ships could replace their wary comrades, reinforce battling vessels, or practice encirclement if the seascape allowed. By the way, admirals, at least in the East Roman fleets, were dignitaries devoid of sea legs and owing their promotion to the emperor's favor or court intrigues.

Galleys in the Medieval Mediterranean

 

Grazioso Benincasa. Detail from a 1482 nautical chart depicting a galley and a Portuguese caravel

https://www.meisterdrucke.ie/fine-art-prints/Grazioso-Benincasa/1101817/Galley-and-Portuguese-caravel,-detail-from-the-Nautical-chart-of-the-Mediterranean.html

My second project is over. All 29 papers have been uploaded and offered for discussion. I have realized my potential, acquiring more than 10 K readers. Even my previous projects: "Dawn and Sunset" and an unfinished African project, receive moderate interest. 

It is time to start uploading articles from my current project, dubbed "The Fear and Thrill of Navigation."

I decided to present it not by chapters but by lumps. The apparent reason is to ramp up my readership. In addition, not all parts are ready, and I may need to revise them before uploading. I continue to research war galleys and sharpen my understanding of various issues. 

I have to delay even this plan. I sent the first extract, "Galleys in the Medieval Mediterranean," to a few magazines and ,at least in one case, they told me that uploading the text on my site would exclude it from their consideration. I am unsure if they will endorse my writing, but I must respect their opinion. 

This extract is part of the introduction to my third project. It elaborates on the performance of galleys, their low freeboard, propulsion, their behavior in choppy seas, their manner of sailing (hugging the shoreline), wintering, and provisioning. I also attached the reappraisal to summarize  my ideas, notes, and the above illustration. 

Encouraging News

 I want to share a bunch of encouraging news with you. 

Since August 2019, I have been building my readership community on Academia.edu, a site for researchers. View https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael 

I uploaded eight chapters from my first book, "Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Earliest Cities in the Near East." I started transferring the units from my second boon, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." It was a slow start. By the end of my first year, I had about 1K views. 

At this stage, Academia.edu ushered in a new rubric, Discussion. After sending a paper to publication, an author can discuss his report. It usually takes three weeks, with an option for an extension. You write an invitation, and the site sends it to around 1 K people in addition to your fans. I resolved to put my articles to the test. Suddenly, many people recognized my name and became familiar with my studies. One can encounter researchers, students, and graduates of many universities worldwide. Some readers wrote notes, and I appreciate their efforts, even if I don't agree with some of them, because I received feedback. I forwarded my last paper from my second book for Discussion a short time ago.  View https://www.academia.edu/96081693/William_of_Rubruck

I have already received over 10 K views; my next aim will be 15 K, though it might take several years. Meanwhile, I have finished the draft of Chapter 3: Later War Galleys, in which I will discuss

a.    The Monster galley: Vettor Fausto’s quinquereme

b.    Rowing a scaloccio

c.    “Galley slaves”

d.    Gallea alla ponentina

e.    Dimensions

f.     Functions

g.    Cost

h.    Life span

i.     Sailing off-season

j.     Coastal piloting and speed

k.    Watering the crews  

Rations    

I have  begun to write a new chapter, The Intricacies of  Naval Warfare. I plan to describe naval shipyards and supply bases and check the idea of standing fleets. 

I sent Chapter I to a maritime journal and received an encouraging negative response. The editor acknowledges that I have produced a fascinating and informative piece. Then, he explains why he can't approve it for publication: the article lacks the academic structure. There needs to be a section of existing literature. The writer does not place himself among other authors or offers an argument. 

When I read it, I understood my place. I don't write scientific prose but a story. I don't care about my contribution to the history of research. I give my readers facts and add my opinion. Many people accept this approach. 

The Latecomer's Update

 My Internet was mute for nearly a month and only now I begin to recover from this unpleasant experience. This is what I did in a few past days:

I uploaded my article, John of Plano Carpini, for Discussion. 

https://www.academia.edu/92846942/John_of_Plano_Carpini

This is a chapter from the last unit of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." I was delighted to learn that I have got 9,500 views. I am nearing my current goal of 10 K. 

I have edited a chapter from my third project, The Fright and Thrill of Navigation: Seafaring in the Medieval and the Renaissance Mediterranean. The paper is titled "Early Light Galleys" and has the following outline:

a: LBR dimensions [length to beam ratio]

b: functions of galleys

c: Sailing season  

d: nocturnal voyage

e: Operational range

f: Speed and watering of the crews

g: Coastal shipping and beaching

h: Shipworm and Life Expectancy

i: Visibility

j: Seaworthiness

k: Byzantine innovations

l: Latin achievements

m: Medieval Triremes & Centerline Rudder

n: Horse transports

o: Purpose-built galleys 

I am currently collecting data for another chapter about the tactics of naval warfare. 

Prelude: A Tale of Two Watercraft Brands

 The introduction to my third project, "The Fright and Frill of Navigation," focuses on the main topic of discourse: the two watercraft brands plying the waters of the medieval and renaissance Mediterranean. It is impossible to start covering the subject without preliminary notes about similarities and distinctions between the galley and the round ship. 

My introduction embraces three aspects--the galley, the round ship, comparing and contrast--and ends with the reappraisal, reinforcing the primary outcomes. Since I am still waiting to be ready to upload the paper on my website yet (see my website https://independent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael), I will present its outline. 

A: The Galley

a. The two brands

b. The galley’s performance

c. Low freeboard

d. Propulsion

e. Choppy seas

f. Hugging the coast

g. Wintering

h. Provisioning

B: The Round Ship

a.       Propulsion

b.       Lack of wind

c.       Sailing styles

d.       Storms

e.       The Myth of the “closed sea”

C: Comparison and contrast

a.       Design and propulsion

b.       Basic dimensions

c.       Seaworthiness

d.       Mode of sailing

D: Reappraisal 

a.       The galley

b.         The round ship

c.       Comparison and contrast 

There are two reasons for this delay. First, I want to finish discussions with the last two chapters of my second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." Second, I want to try my luck with maritime magazines, which might set a condition for exclusive publication. 

I have also completed chapter 1 of the project and started developing chapter 2. I will report on it in my next post. 

John of Montecorvino

 I have received good news from Academia. After over two months' delay, I finally got access to Discussion. The confirmation coincided with presenting my last chapter, John of Montecorvino, to the public. https://www.academia.edu/96931204/John_of_Montecorvino

The paper has triggered replies and enjoyed more than 150 views. I am on the way to realizing my potential in Academia, which will stand around 10 K views. I still have two more chapters for Discussion. I noticed some readers come across my previous papers, from the second to the first book. It is very encouraging. I am beginning to form a community of readers, primarily academics. I wish I also had more readers from the general public since this is my target audience. 

My zoom lecture in the historical-philosophic club about Alexander against Gog-Magog: Part 2 was  successful. I received many compliments and questions. Some listeners wished they had been present at the previous lecture, and I invited them to participate in my next one. I still need to prepare it . All the lectures are recorded by the Institute of Integration and appear on their site. 

I started developing my third project with the working title "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation: Seafaring in the Medieval and the Renaissance Mediterranean." 

I assessed my introduction and changed the title to Prelude: A Tale of Two Watercraft Brands. I took out two items about technology and diet: they will appear in later chapters. There are three topics now: The Galley, The Round Ship, and Comparison and Contrast. I will also attach the Reappraisal. When I finish, I will offer this paper to maritime magazines. 

I began writing chapter 1: Early War Galleys. It will cover 16 items. I described the sections about dimensions, design, and seaworthiness. I am preparing a list of primary sources and want to check my writing against them. 

February 2023 Update

 I still need help with updating articles for Discussions on my Academia page. The support team says  this is a huge issue for their engineering gang to tackle. They have been doing it for almost two months. My exposure to a wider audience went down, though I already have over 9 K views. My last contribution is chapter 28, William of Rubruck, of my second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." https://www.academia.edu/96081693/William_of_Rubruck

I will upload my last chapter in about two weeks and attach a content page. 

I agreed on a new zoom lecture based on Unit IV of my book. Part 2 of the cycle covers the legend of the Iron Gates, proverbially constructed by Alexander of Macedon to repel invaders from beyond the Caucasus. I will elaborate on steppe pastoralists and explain how medieval literati replaced unknown tribes with the familiar horrifying image of Gog-Magog. 

I continue collecting and developing extracts for the third chapter of my project about Late War Galleys. I drafted four main parts: 

a.    The Monster galley: Vettor Fausto’s quinquereme

b.  Rowing a scaloccio

c.     “Galley slaves”

d.    Gallea alla ponentina

    I want to add a few items: Dimensions,    Cost, Life span, Sailing season, Coastal piloting and speed, Water rations, Seaworthiness, Purpose-built galleys, and probably Arsenals. 

I intend to use part of this material for the current chapter and the rest to enrich other sections,

for example, Medieval War Galleys. 

I recently read a fascinating book: James Beresford, The Ancient Sailing Season. (Brill: LEIDEN & BOSTON, 2013). Its relevance to my research comes from climate studies showing remarkable resemblance in weather throughout the last three thousand years. The author's comments on currents, tides, and winds in different areas of the Mediterranean are also  critical. He debunks the myth of the "closed sea" and elaborates on weather patterns in various regions. 

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Light Galleys (5)

 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.