All sails to the wind!

All Sails to the Wind!

From Galleys to Sailing Ships

The first sailing ships were used on the Nile. Ancient Egyptian sailors mainly used oars to propel their boats but they made use of the power of the wind as well. Later they ventured out into the Mediterranean sea too. Other ancient peoples also learnt the art of sailing: along the coast of India, China, and on the Pacific Ocean many boats and ships set sail. With the advent of sailing, people discovered new continents, and the flourishing sea trade resulted in a global economic boom. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, however, steamboats appeared. The days of sailing ships were numbered; their place was taken by much noisier successors.