On the High Seas

The Vikings were the most intrepid of the early mariners, and travelled far and wide in open boats. The British are known for their naval and maritime accomplishments

Vikings sailed to at least three, and probably four Continents in their open longboats. Polynesians spread across the Pacific in outrigger canoes. The Portugese with their Caravels traveled to America and around Africa in what can be considered the first of the "modern" sailing ships. The Spanish and the Dutch each had their heyday of sailing prowess. Then, for several centuries British and American sailing ships ruled the High Seas. The French and several other nations had some maritime accomplishments but remained primarily land powers. Then, steamships took to the Oceans, as future articles will show datiing this can be a little tricky, but between 1819 and 1835 steam powered oceangoing ships became practical and cost effective for some applications. The great steamships plyed the oceans until around 1970 when diesel electric technology supassed steam from coal in cost effectivness. From open longboats to great ocean liners, oil tankers, and container ships transportation on the world's oceans has come a long way in a thousand years. From the Vikings to Captain Cook or Blackbeard the Pirate (Edward Teach), in fact or in fiction (such as the great sea novels by Joseph Conrad or Jack London), the high seas are the place to look for high adventure.