Paint Coating: MICI – History’s Watercraft
MICI specializes in paint coating for a variety of applications, one of the more popular applications being marine vessels. With that in mind, we thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of history’s most interesting watercraft.
Harkening to ancient times, the fact that Australia was populated more than 40,000 years ago is a fairly strong argument for the existence of watercraft by that time. The continent is, of course, surrounded by water. However, any marine vessels that may have been around have probably long ago disintegrated. (They could have used a nice protective paint coating from MICI.) Certainly, none have been found.
In fact, the oldest boat found to date is called the Pesse Canoe. It was created a very long time ago by someone who, in primitive fashion, hollowed out a log. This is believed to have occurred at some point between 8200 and 7600 BC.
Fast forward past some fairly boring fishing vessels and the like to our present A.D. timeline.
Some of the most famed marine vessels are the Viking ships. Three are currently displayed in Norway and Denmark. The dates of their construction appear to be 820, 900, and 1042 AD. They even have dragon heads. Seriously cool.
The oldest submersible marine vessel, or submarine, dates back to 1578, but underwater combat has been used since ancient times when men would use long straws to swim underwater so they could surprise their enemies. A 16th century painting even depicts Alexander the Great being lowered into the water from a ship in a glass canister. Still, the vessel designed by William Bourne was the first real prototype for a workable sub. His was propelled by oars and fully enclosed.
The first military submarine was built for Peter the Great in 1720. It had what amounted to flame throwers on it. Think about that: flame throwers. On a submarine.
Stay tuned next month for Part 2!