Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... the shipbuilding industry chapter I ancient ships and early steamers T) Y what means prehistoric man, or even men in _J the antediluvian age, crossed rivers or navigated lakes, forms an inquiry which has had resistless 'fascination for studious minds all down the course of time, and much learning has been expended in de 'ciphering, from ancient sculptures or rock-drawings; from Saga and Edda literature; and from exhumed relics discovered from time to time in various parts, precise information on primeval man's medium of water transport, and on the subsequent evolution of the raft, the dug-out, the coracle, the canoe, the rowing galley, the sailing ship for coasting and oversea service. We can only here, in the most superficial way possible, touch on outstanding and comparatively modern features of such lines of inquiry. Canoes, hollowed out by fire and by stone implements from the solid tree-trunk, have been found, more or less completely preserved, in many parts of the world, and in some of the more uncivilised parts F B these may still be seen in use, as will also the " coracle" or boat made of wickerwork with a covering of hide. The coracle of Wales is well known, and in western Ireland the " curragh" is still in use; while in South America, and other parts of the world, the balsa, made of reeds elaborately woven, and rendered watertight by pitch or bituminous substances, are considered quite worthy of modern ingenuity and skill in producing. Ancient canoes have repeatedly been found on the banks of British rivers, notably on the Clyde, where so recently as the autumn of 1903 one was unearthed at Dalmuir while excavations were proceeding in connection with Glasgow's new sewage works. When and where it was, precisely, that boat"
