Were the Romans the fastest ship builder in human history?

[Chulanlongkorn U Alumni]

I asked this question because they were very impressive during the Punic Wars against Cathage. If I remember correctly, it only took them 2 months to build up an entire new fleet of vessels, and they did this with just a blue copy of the Carthaginian ships. Sure, it wouldn't be impressive if these vessels were things like small canoes, but what the Romans were building were quite large.

Has something like this ever happen again in history? Remember, this has to be comparable with people using the same level of technology as the Romans.

[intel]

They used levy army as a workforce. Remember, that legions fielded numerous engineers, carpenters and other craftsmen, a luxury which other states lacked.

[Boyar Son]

They used levy army as a workforce. Remember, that legions fielded numerous engineers, carpenters and other craftsmen, a luxury which other states lacked.

I think this type of professionalism only came after in the professional army and to some extent, during Scipio aemelianus' command in Spain.

Rome during the 1st Punic war relied on allied and subjugated Greek cities to provide the ships and men (with Rome providing men and marines).

But my memory is a little hazy and I'm not gonna go pick up my book by A. Goldsworthy right now...

[Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh]

Yeah, the romans probably built ships faster than we do... But they didnt build ships like this

[Heinz Guderian]

The speed at which the Americans could turn out a Liberty ship or even an aircraft carrier in 1945 was astonishing. It was just an example of their awe-inspiring organistation and planning. Much like the Romans.

[xcorps]

Take into account the economic factors of the 1937-1938 post Depression recession. In 7 years the US went from a manufacturing output similiar to 1934 to the production capacity to manufacture over 20 Essex class carriers, only 7 of which were completed prior to 1944.

[Theseus1234]

The Venetians were pretty fast ship builders IIRC, considering the section of the city they cordoned off specifically for ship building (the Arsenale).

[Manoflooks]

The Venetians IIRC were pretty fast ship builders IIRC, considering the section of the city they cordoned off specifically for ship building (the Arsenale).

At one point, they built an entire warship from scratch for a visiting dignitary while he ate dinner. They probably have the best record, but I doubt they could keep that up for very long.

[Numenor]

At one point, they built an entire warship from scratch for a visiting dignitary while he ate dinner. They probably have the best record, but I doubt they could keep that up for very long.

? is this a mith or realy true...? i find it hard to belive, i'm sorry.

[Theseus1234]

? is this a mith or realy true...? i find it hard to belive, i'm sorry.

According to Wikipedia, they were able to churn out 1 ship a day given the materials (not surprising since the Arsenale basically comprises 1/8th of the city and employed upwards of 10,000 people).

[Chulanlongkorn U Alumni]

At one point, they built an entire warship from scratch for a visiting dignitary while he ate dinner. They probably have the best record, but I doubt they could keep that up for very long.

I agree with the other person; are you sure that this was not a myth?

[Manoflooks]

? is this a mith or realy true...? i find it hard to belive, i'm sorry.

I agree with the other person; are you sure that this was not a myth?

I'm pretty sure it's actually true. I've read it in history books, discussed it with tour guides, and seen it in museums. Also, if they planned it beforehand well enough, it wouldn't really be too hard, considering the size and skill of the Venetian shipbuilder force.

[Numenor]

I'm pretty sure it's actually true. I've read it in history books, discussed it with tour guides, and seen it in museums. Also, if they planned it beforehand well enough, it wouldn't really be too hard, considering the size and skill of the Venetian shipbuilder force.

then you explained it in a wrong way. when i think of building a ship, i think about every single process.

What is belivable is that they were able to assemble the ship in a night, but build it, i doupt it.

[Miroslav Klose]

At one point, they built an entire warship from scratch for a visiting dignitary while he ate dinner. They probably have the best record, but I doubt they could keep that up for very long.

Then he ate a huuuuge dinner

Maybe it's possible, would require a lot of workers though.

[DAVIDE]

The Venetians IIRC were pretty fast ship builders IIRC, considering the section of the city they cordoned off specifically for ship building (the Arsenale).

More than 16,000 people employed for ship building

[Captain Blackadder]

Liberty Ships were coming of the line very quickly average was 42 days quickest was 4 days. That is by far the quickest any decent sized ship has being built.

[Gallapagos]

Through sheer and vast manpower, im pretty sure they were.

[DAVIDE]

in 1570 in Arsenale, they made 110 galleys in less than 2 month. A record

[Theseus1234]

in 1570 in Arsenale, they made 110 galleys in less than 2 month. A record

that's like 1.5 galleys per day. It just goes to show you that a production line is far superior to any other method of ship construction in terms of speed.

[GreyFox]

that's like 1.5 galleys per day. It just goes to show you that a production line is far superior to any other method of ship construction in terms of speed.

The Germans tried this with the Type XXI U-boat, the most advanced submarine of WW2, and they managed to build 118 of them in less than two years before the end of the war. However, only 4 of them were actually sea-worthy.