Vanguard of Empire: Ships of Exploration in the Age of Columbus by Roger C. Smith
Donald H. Keith
TECHNOLOGYAND CULTURE Book Reviews 899 tension-resisting members. Courtenay discusses these at length and follows their murky but plausible dissemination in Early Christian churches the DarkAges Carolingian eras. Romanesque roofs may preserve Roman memories, with rows of identical tied trusses, without ridge beams or any transverse bracing other than batten boards supporting cladding. The Scandinavian development lateral division into bays principal common rafters remains somewhat enigmatic this account, as does influence on Gothic timber frames. Courtenay’s summary her research, collabo­ ration Mark, great hammer beam truss by Hugh Herland Westminster Hall London, is climax chapter. Renaissance innovations are fully triangulated trusses ofVasari Palladio, Philibert de l’Orme’s laminated wooden arches, both executed published new breed scholar-practitioners. Com­ pared to these, Wren’s famous frame for Sheldonian Theater Oxford anachronistic, despite its unusual span metal-fastened scarfjoints. book, minor errors omissions, a very useful reference, summarizing much scholarship historical structures. With some guidance, it could be fine secondary textbook variety undergraduate graduate courses. Sergio L. Sanabria Dr. teaches Department ofArchitecture Miami University. Vanguard ofEmpire: Ships ofExploration theAge ofColumbus. By Roger C. Smith. NewYork: University Press, 1993. Pp. xii+316; illustra­ tions, notes, appendixes, bibliography, indexes. $35.00. When one considers history technology, few inventions stand out dramatically significantly seagoing ship. Smith’s ofEmpire attempts provide “an up date perspective ways which Iberian vessels exploration were built, manned, armed, provisioned” (p. vii). Although objective has been sought before, approach make greater use newly discovered documents results recent archaeological excavations discovery-period shipwreck sites. Following brief introduction political, religious, economic, cultural conditions leading European Age Discovery cursorily reviewed, Smith identifies maritime states Spain Portugal center nautical renaissance oceangoing technology years between 1430 1530, caravel nao ship types most favored explorers. He then oudines probable origins two vessel describes general characteristics. majority book devoted step-by-step descriptions building caravels naos 900 equipping them exploratory voyaging. Throughout narrative includes Spanish Portuguese equivalent virtually every term mentioned. Originally Ph.D. dissertation History Texas A&M University, ofEmpireis latest addition voluminous body literature 15th 16th centuries. Much used review recapitulate earlier set stage revelations document research archaeology. Preeminent among an inventory equipment board Santa Clara (Columbus’s Nina) 1498. Discovered Eugene Lyon, reproduced facsimile appendix D translated annotated Denise Lakey. Among surprises, appears indicate that Nina carried four masts, not three, historians have always presumed. reader disappointed archaeo­ logical research: all three sites explored had salvaged dredged before archaeologists arrived scene, can positively identified nao. findings seem ambiguous, even contradictory, gets impression still too early learn from quarter. Vanguard's main concern ships themselves—the technological vectors geographic exploration. It makes point resulted purposeful combining several technologies already existed. effect culture imparted subliminally throughout descriptions...
Technology and Culture