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A Ship Of The Line, A New Sea Battle Tactic Invented
Up to this time a sea battle was mostly entering or boarding your opponent to engage in hand to hand battle called a melee, mimicking skirmishes on land. Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) and his Admirals, Admiral Chichester being one of them, invented the “Line”. To be a “Ship of the Line” meant sailing in formation starting out as sailing in single file or line. Your ship had to be strong enough to take a pounding from the opposing ship cannons and still sail. Any ship that dropped out of the line put the following ships at risk. So taking your hits and maintaining your position was a life or death issue to your sister ships. A ship had to be strongly built and rigged to be in the line. For example, fore stay ropes were often well over 10 inches in diameter to take battle damage and still hold up the masts. The Spanish Armada had about 120 ships that sailed or rowed as a unit in a crescent shape with the concave portion facing the direction of travel. The English fleet had no chance in a melee because they would have had dozens of Spanish ships grappling with each English ship. Also, the Massive Spanish land army was on board the Armada ships and would have made short work of the out numbered English crews. The English strategy was one of distraction, hoping that the Armada would not be aware of the currents which shifted towards the rocky English shore at that time of day. The English hoped that the westerly portion of the Armada ships would founder on the rocky shores of England before they were given permission to change course. The English formed its fleet in a line and skirted the rear outer corner of the Armada crescent firing their cannons as they got close to the Spanish. Most of the cannon balls missed or fell short. A few of the cannon balls put holes in ships above the water line and it was hoped that when those ships changed tack that the holes would be below the water line. The Spanish were not fooled with the distraction, turned in time and no ships were lost on rocks or to cannon fire. The Armada met its demise when the English sent 7 worm eaten ships ablaze with tar and pitch into the Armada anchored for the night on the Dutch coast. Few of the Spanish could swim and in terror they cut their anchors with many fleeing around Irelands West shore, they ran into a storm and were lost. Even though the first Sailing Battle Line was less than successful the experience created a basic concept that lasted until the age of Steam Powered Ships. The line was a tool which reduced the need to aim cannon, by using broad sides where all the cannon fired from the side and all at once. If the roll of the firing ship was timed well the cannon balls hit the opposing ships side, if not, they hit the water and skipped to the enemy or created damage to the rigging. Often a ship could get off two or three volleys before the next ship of the line passed. Some times the ships of the line would overlap using the bow of the following ship to cover and protect the vulnerable stern rudder. Admeral John Chichester 1st Baronet of Rolley commanded a squadron consisting of the HMS Lackey, the Margaret, and the John. Is one Sailor in a line that goes back to 249 AD when Hangest landed on the shores of Deven with 3 Keelboats from the Weser River Valley in what is now Northern Germany. His grand son was called Cica De Cester, the family name then combined to Cicester, and in 1348 changed to Chichester. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at harvey@boat-bottom-paint.cm or phone 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7). |
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