Did the ancient Romans have paddlewheel battle ships?

Here in the U.S. we had horse powered river ferries. I think Nat. Geographic had a story about a sunken discovery years ago. The actual power available is small, so I doubt they would work in open water.

Hmm,
Well it isn't well-known, but evidence is that the greeks used steam power to move scenery and for "special effects" in their temples. We were so close to an industrial age back then. Makes you wonder how many other times civilization has advanced, then declined.
S'
David D.

Horse- powered paddlewheelers... sure brings a new dimension to cleaning out the engine room...

Gee I hate to comment as it seem to end the discussion. I don't know about the Roman boat, however when the punitive military expedition left fort Atkinson, on the Missouri River, in 1821-2 some or all of their keel boats were rigged with side wheels and instead of rowing the crew worked levers that were some how connected to the wheels. As for animal power there were essentially two types of power transfer systems one was a capstan like system or like the tumble rod power to a horse powered thresher geared to side wheels or a prop. There was one found in Lake Champlain not to long ago. There other was the common treadmill with one or two horses belted or geared to the side wheels. I think I have seen a picture of one with a one horse treadmill on each side. It was tried at least once on a river boat , lower Mississippi, but the horses were worn-out before the destination was reached. Treadmills were used on some ferries.

Carl Jones

*RE: 'Roman paddle boats/galleys.*
Hi, Carl, David and gentleman above:
Most interesting commentary on the Roman paddlewheel designs. I agree they 'possibly' had [If really constructed] limited use for bays, estuaties etc. Yet, who knows? Another great study focuses on the great Greek and Roman galleys with at times two and three decks of rowers as biremes and triremes. Those extremely long oars or 'sweeps' could create a lot of power employing slaves. Calculations and experiments reveal the galleys were possibly a lot faster with more maueuverability than once thought. The 'dip, cut and pull' in the water acted more like a long lever.

Been some years since I've seen crack U.S. Navy and British Navy rowing crews compete in races employing longboats or launches. Something to see with amazing speed. In the old days the muscles of sailors--and slaves--was the usual. Easy to see why the "horses were worn out" in the above.

Well, what do I know?

Coal Hven Landing, Ohio River

That Roman paddlewheeler picture is so enchanting I used it for my screensaver. The mechanical system configuration appears to be well within the capabilities of the Romans who excelled in such things. But what I especially enjoyed was how happy the animals appear to be while thoroughly the experience. And what's that fish doing on the head of the boat with not a human in sight? Another favorite I also use for my monitor wallpaper is the pic of Cap'n Lexie's GRACEFUL GHOST paddling through the cypress forest on Caddo Lake. Both attract numerous favorable comments.

Here's a link to Texas A & M that shows a few horsepowered sidwheelers.

Horse Ferry

Di Vinci also had a paddlewheel design. See attachments.

Pete Baker
Mid-Hudson Valley

Ran across this in a search for sidewheeler info today;

Horseboat on Lake Winnepesaukee:

Horseboats - Winnipesaukee Forum

Pete