No Tech Magazine

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1870-1873)

"Barge haulers on the Volga", a late 19th century painting by Ilja Repin.

How to Ship an Obelisk

In the 19th century Egyptian rulers gifted several large 1500BC obelisks to Paris, London and New York, all of which are still standing today. We already know how these things were erected, but how did they get there? The images above and below (from a 1878 article in the French magazine "La Nature") show the vessel used for the transportation of the fragile 250 tonne heavy granite stone which is now in London. A special vessel (the "Cleopatra"), was constructed around the obelisk, rolled into the sea, and then towed across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic to England. It sank on the way, but miraculously drifted to shore and was saved. The barge consisted of a steel cylinder enveloped in wood. The Americans, the French, and (much earlier) the Romans used different methods.

Ship mills

"Boat mills: water powered, floating factories" at Low-tech Magazine. Some extra images below:

Airplanes & Volcanoes

Stop searching. They don't exist anymore.

Floating Citadels, Powered by Wind and Water Mills

This engraving, published in 1798, shows the gigantic St. Malo raft, designed in 1791 during the French Revolution. The engraving informs us that this extraordinary structure was 600 feet long by 300 broad, mounts 500 pieces of cannon, 36 and 48-pounders, and is to convey 15,000 troops for the invasion of England. In the midst is a bomb-proof, metal-sheathed citadel.

Horse Powered Ferry Boat

"The horse-powered ferryboat, though patented in 1819, can trace its origin of design back to the time of the Romans. The Roman ox boat was an early war vessel propelled by a team of oxen. During the 1700’s, boats propelled by horses could be found on various rivers and canals of Europe. By the early 1800’s, horse powered boats could be found on Lake Champlain and the Hudson River. By the 1820’s, this mode of transportation had spread to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the Great Lakes, and to several other rivers and lakes in the Northeast. This type of vessel was generally utilized for journeys of only a few miles."

Found at Shipwreckworld. Previously: Trolleyboats.