ENGAGEMENT

Vegetius mentions another engine, which was suspended to the mainmast, and resembled a battering-ram; for it consisted of a long beam, and an head of iron, and was, with great violence, pushed against the sides of the enemies galleys.

They had also a grappling-iron, which was usually thrown into the adverse ship by means of an engine; this instrument facilitated the entrance of the soldiers appointed to board, which was done by means of wooden bridges, that were generally kept ready for this purpose in the fore-part of the vessel.

The arms used by the ancients rendered the disposition of their fleets very different, according to the time, place and circumstances. They generally considered it an advantage to be to windward, and to have the sun shining directly on the front of their enemy. The order of battle chiefly depended on their power of managing the ships, or of drawing them readily into form; and on the schemes which their officers had concerted. The fleet being composed of rowing vessels, they lowered their sails previous to the action; they presented their prows to the enemy, and advanced against each other by the force of their oars (Potter's Archaeologica Graeca). Before they joined battle, the admirals went from ship to ship, and exhorted their soldiers to behave gallantly. All things being in readiness, the signal was displayed by hanging out of the admiral's galley a gilded shield, or a red garment or banner. During the elevation of this the action continued, and by it's depression, or inclination towards the right or lest, the rest of the ships were directed how to attack, or retreat from their enemies. To this was added the sound of trumpets, which began in the admiral's galley, and continued round the whole navy. The fight was also begun by the admiral's galley, by grappling, boarding, and endeavouring to overset, sink, or destroy the adversary, as we have above described:

Ut primum rostris crepuerunt obvia rastra,

In puppim rediere rates, emissaque tela

Aera texerunt, vacuumque cadentia pontum.
L U CA N.

Which we may thus translate:

The beaks encounter with a thundering sound,

Then reeling, from the mutual shock rebound.

The javelins fly! an iron tempest sweeps

The darken'd air, and covers all the deeps!

Sometimes, for want of grappling-irons, they fixed their oars in such a manner as to hinder the enemy from retreating.

Reference Works