REALE
DE FRANCE - FRENCH - 1571
The Galley belonged to the King of France, thus the name 'REALE'.
She was sumptuously decorated by the famous sculptor Pierre
Puget… Her ornamentation is still displayed in the Musee
de la Marine in Paris. The REALE had a total length of 63ms
and having 50 oars, each oar was manoeuvred by 7 men.There
were 413 oarsmen alone on the vessel. Most oarsmen would have
been either slaves or criminals condemned to life imprisonment.
Arms consisted of 5 pieces in bronze concentrated to bow under
the forecastle on special sliding carriages, and by 11 swivelguns.
The ship could also be used for frontal attacks and ramming.
REALE was also equipped with two lateen sails which were furled,
with the lateen yard chained to the masts during battle.
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