As I extend my research, I begin to understand the scope of my task, which exceeds the size of a short article. I decided to divide my essay into working blocks.
The outline of the first block:
1. Uncorking the Atlantic route
2. The Venetian response
a. Propulsion
b. Speed
3. Safety and security
a. General
b. Safety
c. Security
The first topic focuses on the Genoese merchants' response to an unfriendly reception in France on their way to the Champagne Fairs and their search for an alternative route, which led them to Bruges. Initially run by light galleys, the Flanders line soon switched to round ships. The shipbuilders designed a new type, the three-masted Mediterranean cog, which combined the construction traditions of North and South Europe, to transport bulky commodities.
The Venetians responded to the launch of a new route by designing a great galley, a hybrid craft that could serve both as a warship and a cargo vessel. The boat could sail in all seasons but could not withstand adverse winds, which often kept the crews penned in the harbor.
To compete with round ships, such as the Mediterranean cog, the constructors of the great galley occasionally experimented with mixed rigging, i.e., hung square sails together with fore-and-aft sails.
The renowned speed of the great galley is a controversial issue. First of all, the voyage under favorable winds took much less time than traveling against opposing air currents. Then, one has to take into account frequent breaks due to bad weather and provisioning (to say nothing of stops for trade) in addition to pure traveling time.
I am still developing the section on safety and security, i.e., seaworthiness, safety regulations, arms, and armor. The last topic will cover naval artillery on board the great galleys.
