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The Aerodynamics of Sails, with Particular Reference to Dinghies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

A. Millward
A. Millward*
Affiliation:
Brough Branch
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Extract

The earliest known boats were propelled by oars. Sails were soon discovered, probably in Egypt, where a light, but steady, north wind blows up the Nile. The Egyptians found that by stretching a large mat across the ship they could proceed up the river. However, sails remained an auxiliary source of power until about 300 A.D. because they could be used only with a following wind. Fig. 1 shows an Egyptian ship of about 1600 B.C.

The next improvement came in China, where the square sail was turned fore and aft, enabling the boat to be sailed at an angle to the wind. Unfortunately the Chinese made no further improvements, and the junk, Fig. 2, has remained basically unchanged for about two thousand years.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 66 , Issue 624 , December 1962 , pp. 760 - 764
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1962

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References

1.Curry, Manfred, Yacht Racing; the Aerodynamics of Sails and Racing Tactics. Bell. 1949.Google Scholar
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3.Phillips-Birt, D., Naval Architecture of Small Craft. Hutchinson. 1957.Google Scholar
4.Gibson, C.E., The History of the Ship. Abelard—Schuman. 1958.Google Scholar