Science of Conflict
Ship design
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| In
1497 Vasco de Gama, a Portuguese explorer, returned from a voyage of exploration
from India with spices that fetched 60 times the expense of the trip. It
was the kind of return on investment that attracted kings and rich merchants.
Henry VIII, pictured on the right, understood well the reason for Vasco
de Gammas fortune and realised that Europe was addicted to spices and tea.
Henry wanted England to become an imperial super power with its merchant
ships. But he knew that he must protect this merchant navy by building huge
gunships with lots of guns. But this was not easy, for placing guns on the
decks of ships made them unstable. |
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Henry
VIII organised gun foundries, shipbuilders and a multitude of supporting
services into a government run research and development organisation with
the aim of making England a great maritime power.
His scientists were stuck on
the problem of placing heavy cannons on the decks of ships without capsizing
them. Henry suggested that the guns be placed below decks closer to the
keel and hence closer to the centre of gravity. They would then be fired
through firing ports cut out of the hull that were kept shut, when the
cannons were not in use, by hinged, water tight doors. |
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| Another
innovation made the cannon even more formidable. A gun carriage was constructed
for each cannon, as shown on the right. The cannon could recoil backwards
on this carriage and be simply rolled back into position ready to fire again. |
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| In
1545 the result of Henry's efforts was realised. A ship called the Great
Harry, pictured on the right, sailed into the Atlantic and immediately revolutionised
naval warfare. The Great Harry could stay a distance away from an enemy
ship and bound it to pieces with cannon broadsides. |
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Discuss
the reasons why England needed a strong naval force?
What did Henry VIII think necessary for England to have a strong Naval force?
What difficulties were encountered by ship designers in trying to achieve
Henry's plans?
Why were heavy cannons not able to be placed on the decks of sailing ships? |
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