lovebus t1_jck3x3z wrote on March 17, 2023 at 12:34 PM

Reply to comment by MeatballDom in Grad Student Explores Ancient Warfare With Naval Ram Project by kratos2025

What unexplained questions? It seems pretty self explanatory to me

Immediate-Win-4928 t1_jck48cl wrote on March 17, 2023 at 12:37 PM

The specific design of the wooden parts obviously

Phormitago t1_jckhy8k wrote on March 17, 2023 at 2:25 PM

Well, as for the obvious first one: "how do we attach this to the bow of a ship so that it doesnt fall off when a wave hits it?"

silverfox762 t1_jckk8ca wrote on March 17, 2023 at 2:41 PM

I can see it now-

"The front fell off".

Kramerica5A t1_jclw6ea wrote on March 17, 2023 at 7:50 PM

That's not typical, I'd like to make that clear.

fleebleganger t1_jclgyak wrote on March 17, 2023 at 6:11 PM

Ensure the wood is dry, get a tight fit and then launch the ship. Give it a week or so and wood will swell and the metal bits might as well be welded onto the wood.

For extra fun maybe wrap a rope around it. Looking at the bits that are left over I’m not sure it’s much of a mystery. Wouldn’t be 100% certain but those 4 open bits seem to be the mortises for the wood to fit in.

Edit: saw other pictures below, looks like there’s a mortise in the other side, same deal just my 4 open bits comment is wrong.

Archmagnance1 t1_jckk4il wrote on March 17, 2023 at 2:40 PM

How they attached it is a bit question.

Was it meant to stay attached after ramming? Was it a one time use and acceptable to come off after impact? Was it meant to stay on but acceptable if it broke off?