ABSTRACT
THE oldest maritime nations whose records are preserved are Egypt, Crete, and later Phoonicia. There are evidences of intercourse between Egypt and Crete in the pre-dynastic period of Egypt, say 6,000 years ago, and one of the earliest known representations of sea-going vessels is on a bas-relief of about 2600 B.c., found in a pyramid tomb near Cairo. These vessels have masts and paddles for propelling and steering. An interesting feature is the "hogging truss," a cable stretched from bow to stern and kept in tension, to prevent the ship from drooping at the ends. This principle is employed in shallow-draught ships of the present day. There are also other records of ships almost as ancient, some actually unearthed, others on sculptures, seals, and hieroglyphics.
