Page:The American encyclopedia of history, biography and travel (IA americanencyclop00blak).pdf/772



6.

Among the galleys, which afterwards gave birth to the galea grossa, in assuming more capacity and more amplitude, some were man[oe]uvred by two oars to the bench, others three. It is even certain that, at a later period, in the sixteenth century, the strongest ones had as many as five oars, which appears incredible. The galleys possessed only one mast, which was stepped rather forward—that is, in the first third of the vessel. In the thirteenth century, the fleet which St. Louis took with him towards the Holy Land, gives proof of the thorough modifications which naval structures have undergone. St. Louis could only collect the eighteen