the history of the boats

Viking longboats 1000 AD

Nov 1, 1000

Viking longboats
These ships had sails as well as up to 60 oarsmen who rowed the ship.

chinese boat 1100 AD

Nov 27, 1100

Chinese junks were sailing boats with a rudder for steering the boat, battens on the sails to give them greater strength

sailing ship

Nov 27, 1450

1450 onwards: Three and four masted sailing ships were in service for several centuries, These wooden ships were used as battleships

'clipper ships'

Nov 27, 1800

In the 1800s, fast sailing ships called 'clipper ships' were built. They had long, slim hulls and tall masts.

steamships

Nov 27, 1819

1819 The first steamships to cross the Atlantic combined steam and wind power

The first ocean-going liners

Nov 27, 1845

1845 The first ocean-going liners made of iron and driven by a propeller were being built from this time

diesel power

Aug 20, 1910

Coal burning sailing ships were converted to diesel power, using oil instead of steam.

Hovercraft

Mar 27, 1955

Hovercraft float above the waves on cushions of air and are capable of high speeds of up to 140 km an hour

nuclearship

Feb 3, 1959

The N.S. Savannah, one of the first nuclear powered cargo ships, was able to sail for three and a half years without refuelling.

cruise ship

Apr 27, 1990

Cruise liners are ships that carry hundreds of people on floating holidays. Passengers live on the ship, which has restaurants, shops, cinemas and other recreation venues.