Cutwaters Before Rams: an experimental investigation into the origins and development of the waterline ram. (19th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murray, William M.; Ferreiro, Larrie D.; Vardalas, John; Royal, Jeffrey G.
• Is Part Of: International journal of nautical archaeology. Volume 46:Number 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2016-12-19
• Subjects: cutwater -- ram -- bow -- galley -- trireme -- hydrodynamics; Underwater archaeology -- Periodicals; 930.102804
• DOI: 10.1111/1095-9270.12209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-2414

Abstract

Abstract : Students at Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ, USA) investigated the reasons for an elongated projection at the bow of Mediterranean galleys. Using a 1:20 base model adapted from the Trireme Trust's Olympias fitted with: 1) an elongated projection; and 2) a control bow similar to excavated merchant ships, tow‐tank tests were carried out at various speeds. Hydrodynamic resistance and power were calculated for each bow type. Above speeds corresponding to 6 knots, the cutwater bow significantly attenuated the model's bow waves when compared to the control bow. These results were then compared to those of the ship with a ram‐type bow from experiments conducted in 1985 at the National Technical University of Athens, which showed similar wave‐attenuating characteristics.