[*]For example, the trip from Crete to Cyrene—­which would be demanded first, before coasting along to Egypt.

However, the ships at Peireus, if not large in size, are numerous enough.  Some are simply big open boats with details elaborated.  They have a small forecastle and poop built over, but the cargo in the hold is exposed to all wind and weather.  The propulsion comes from a single unwieldy square sail swinging on a long yard the whole length of the vessel.  Other ships are more completely decked, and depend on two square sails in the place of one.  A few, however, are real “deep sea” vessels—­completely decked, with two or even three masts; with cabins of tolerable size, and forward and aft curious projections, like turrets,—­the use whereof is by no means obvious, but we soon gather that pirates still abound on the distant seas, and that these turrets are useful when it comes to repelling boarders.  The very biggest of these craft run up to 250 gross tons (later day register),[*] although with these ponderous defense-works they seem considerably larger.  The average of the ships, however, will reckon only 30 to 40 tons or even smaller.  It is really a mistake, any garrulous sailor will tell us, to build merchant ships much bigger.  It is impossible to make sailing vessels of the Greek model and rig sail very close to the wind; and in every contrary breeze or calm, recourse must be had to the huge oars pile up along the gunwales.  Obviously it is weary work propelling a large ship with oars unless you have a huge and expensive crew,—­far better then to keep to the smaller vessels.

[*]The Greeks reckoned their ships by their capacity in talents (= about 60 lbs.), e.g. a ship of 500 talents, of 2000, or (among the largest) 10,000.

103.  The Three War Harbors and the Ship House.—­Many other points about these “round ships” interest us; but such matters they share with the men-of-war, and our inspection has now brought us to the navy yard.  There are strictly three separate navy yards, one at each of the harbors of Munychia, Zea, and Cantharus, for the naval strength of Athens is so great that it is impossible to concentrate the entire fleet at one harbor.  Each of these establishments is protected by having two strong battlements or breakwaters built out, nearly closing the respective harbor entrances.  At the end of each breakwater is a tower with parapets for archers, and capstans for dragging a huge chain across the harbor mouth, thus effectively sealing the entrance to any foe.[*] The Zea haven has really the greatest warship capacity, but the Cantharus is a good type for the three.[+] As we approach it from the merchant haven, we see the shelving shore closely lined with curious structures which do not easily explain themselves.  There are a vast number of dirty, shelving roofs, slightly tilted upward towards the land side, and set at right angles to the water’s edge.  They are each about 150 feet long, some 25 feet wide, about 20 feet high, and are set up side by side with no passage between.  On close inspection we discover these are ship houses.  Under each of the roofs is accommodated the long slim hull of a trireme, kept safe from sea and weather until the time of need, when a few minutes’ work at a tackle and capstan will send it down into harbor, ready to tow beside a wharf for outfitting.