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Trireme
Speed
has always been an important issue in human-powered craft. The Trireme
shown in the photograph is a replica of the vessels used by the Greeks in about
500 BCE. Propelled by 170 rowers, sitting in three banks on each side, these
vessel could reach a sprint speed of about 9 knots (13 kph). Thucydides
(427 BCE) records a non-stop voyage of 340-km between Athens and Mytilene that
took place in just over a day for an implied average speed of 7.5 knots.
Measurements
made with the replica indicate that about 10,500 W are required
to propel the vessel at 7 knots, so that each rower has to sustain a power
output of about 62 W to achieve this average speed. This is similar to the
steady state power output capability of a healthy adult propelling a bicycle.
Design improvements to the oarlocks, that are still within the range implied
by archeological information, are expected to improve the available power
for this replica by 30%.
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