The History of Ships

Ships have been one of the most important inventions in human history. Ancient people built simple boats to cross rivers and fish. Over thousands of years, ships grew bigger and could cross entire oceans. Ships connected continents and made world trade possible.

Ancient and Medieval Ships

Ancient Egyptians built wooden boats to sail the Nile River. The Phoenicians and Greeks built ships to trade across the Mediterranean Sea. Viking longships could sail across the open Atlantic Ocean. Chinese junks were some of the most advanced ships of the medieval world.

Modern Ships

In the 1800s, steam-powered ships replaced sailing ships. They could travel faster and did not depend on the wind. The Titanic was one of the most famous ships ever built. Today, huge container ships carry goods across the world, and cruise ships carry thousands of passengers.

Fun Facts

• The largest container ships today can carry over 20,000 shipping containers.
• Chinese Admiral Zheng He sailed a fleet of massive ships across the Indian Ocean in the 1400s.
• The Titanic was called "unsinkable" but sank on its very first voyage in 1912.

Did You Know?

About 90 percent of all goods traded around the world are carried by ships, making them the backbone of global trade.