Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1892 — A Maritime Wonder. [ARTICLE]

A Maritime Wonder.

In 268 B. C. Archimedes devised > marvelous ship for Hiero of Syracuse. Her three lofty masts had been brought from Britain, whereas ouj ships’ masts are of iron or obtained from New Zealand or from Vancouvei Island. Luxuriously fitted sleeping apartments abounded, and one of hei banquet halls was paved with agatt and costly Sicilian stone. Othei floors wore cunningly inlaid with scenes from the “Iliad.” Stab'lesXoi many horses, ponds stocked with nv« fish, gardens watered by artificial rivulets, and hot baths were provided for use or amusement. Ptolemj Ph I lopater possessed a nuptial, yacht, the Thalamegon, 312 feet long and 4! feet deep. A graceful gallery, sup ported by curiously carved columns, ran round the vessel, and within were .temples of Venus and of Bae chus. Her masts were .one hundred feet high, her sails and cordage ol royal purple hue. <