44

HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

arisen from the end of either starting, was in a very great measure obviated, bythe ingenious and useful introduction of what is now called a dovetail, a pieceof wood, in form resembling two Greek Z, placed fronting each other: thisbeing artificially and carefully let into the ends of both planks, served to con-nect them so perfectly and securely, that little danger appeared to remain oftheir ever separating. The side was, as now, divided into different parts, anddistinguished by different appellations : the lowest was termed by the GreeksQxXxfjLoqy or the floor timber, the derivation and cause of which term is obvious; thesecond, corresponding to that part of the hull now distinguished by the term ofsecond futtock, was stiled $yoq, so termed from the junction of the timber atthat part; the upper division Q^dvoq, signifying a bench, or seat; the deck, whichwas called Kuraa-Tupa, was thrown over at the part now called the top-timber.In each of these divisions, that particular class of warlike vessels, called triremes,which, as they were the most frequent in use, so were they those which aremost commonly noticed; and from which all deductions or descriptions, rela-tive to the Ancient Marine, have been usually drawn, had, as is now commonly,though possibly erroneously thought, a tier or range of oars. The openingin the side of the vessel, through which these were worked, was called by theGreeks r^dtp ij£, probably from t^7tu, to turn, and are now, when adopted inmodern use, styled row, or row-lock ports *.

There exists some difference of opinion among antiquarians relative to theform and disposition of these ports: some peremptorily asserting, that theaperture was continuous through the whole range, an idea too absurd to beembraced ; while others, with much more truth and reason on their side, areequally strenuous in attributing a distinct port to each oar. It is evident, thissupposition is correct, not only from the obvious convenience and preferenceover the other mode, that must arise in the mind of the inhabitant of the mostuncivilized country, but also from the term which we find frequently bestowedon them by the ancients themselves, of columbaria, or pigeon-holes, a term socongruous to their form, as to prevent all possibility of dispute or doubt. Thesedifferent tiers were distinguished in the Trireme by terms analogous totheir situation : the lower being called QdXxpix, the second guyix, the upperfydvia. As to those, if the fact is so, that were used in gallies of still superiorrate, we are under no small difficulty in attempting to develope and attribute toeach its proper term and denomination.

* Vu’.go, Rullock ports.

Historians