Highlights from the visiting Venetian Naval Exhibit in Palermo.
Padua Trionfadór (Triumphant Padua)
A reclaimed Venetian galley from Dogaressa Febe’s war. At the forefront of Mediterranean warfare, the Padua Trionfadór is one of many mass-produced galleys the Venetian Arsenalé from Dogaressa Febe’s war. Well suited for amphibious actions, bursts of speed, and withstanding damage the galley is the backbone of any Mediterranean fleet. Crowded and lacking crew housing galleys were not meant for long journeys and often had to make camp on land during the night. The modular construction and standardized parts allowed the Venetian fleets to be easily manufactured and maintained. In practice standardized modular construction meant that the Venetian navy was only limited by the number of experienced captains and unskilled rowers it can recruit.
Failołèłade Seréna (Siren’s Lullaby)
A relic Enxabeque hailing from Dogaressa Febe’s war. It was among the first light sailing ships built with a slim hull and speed in mind. Designed for sustained high speeds and endurance the Enxabeque played a crucial role in Dogaressa Febe’s war. While not sturdy enough for fleet actions the Enxabeque’s high speed and endurance made it crucial for recon, piracy, counter-piracy, and peacetime trading. Repaired and rebuilt throughout the ages only two nails from the original construction survives to this day. Converted to a pleasure craft the ship was eventually donated to the state in the will of Lorenzo di Chioggia.
Él Calsadór (The Shoehorn)
The standardized firearm for the Venetian Navy from Dogaressa Febe’s war named after its resemblance to a shoehorn. Manufactured by an alliance of trade houses led by the House Mocenigo there was considerable controversy regarding graft for the Republic’s military procurement process. Nonetheless the standardized firearm was effective at expanding the number of eligible marines for the Venetian Navy due to the short training time required. It also gave an edge to the Venetian Republic as it increased the combat abilities of non-combatants such as rowers aboard ships.
Él Capricorno dé Còrno (The Capicorn’s Horn)
Named after one of the four cardinal signs or perhaps the antediluvian (pre-biblical) Babylonian water-goat for the two “horns” that protrude in front of the crossbow. The Capricorno dé Còrno was the sidearm of choice in Dogaressa Febe’s war as it contained a special compartment that allowed the owner to store the crossbow strings in a watertight wax compartment and a cover mount that kept the rain out. While unwieldy it did allow Venetian sailors to fire in all conditions even when wet gunpowder negated firearms. Expensive, deadly, and easy to use the Capricorno dé Còrno saw extensive use until the development of waterproof cartridge ammunition.
Moschéto dé Scanełà(Grooved/rifled musket)
The trademark weapon of the Cavaliere dell'Ordine Militante dé San Giorgio (Knight Militant Order of Saint George) known to those on the receiving side as a “Scanełà”. Adapted from hunting rifles for the rural and the rich the Scanełà is designed with a tighter fitting grooved barrel that offers greater accuracy at the high risk of fouling from gunpowder residues. Due to the risk of fouling the Scanełà is ill suited for repeated volleys required on the battlefield but excellent for raiding and short fights.
Gunpowder storage
An issue of paramount importance for the Venetian Navy galleys and ships often had special compartments built for the storage of gunpowder. Wet gunpowder while obviously unable to ignite is also damaged by water as the powder would be caked together making a solid that burned slowly instead of loose powder that exploded as one. Such containers were water-tight and darkened to preserve gunpowder and to ensure availability. During battle cabin boys are used to ferry gunpowder from below the decks. However even with the best of attempts gunpowder can still decay or get wet and ships are often stocked with a secondary compliment of crossbows for good measure.
Cavałiér dell'Fàsa Militante dé Sant Xòrxi (Knight Militant Order of Saint George)
Originally drafted from the Republic’s worst rapists and murders aka. pirates the Order of Saint George has come a long way since its deplorable past. Named after the nebulous if vague reputation of George the Warrior Saint who may have slain a dragon, or perhaps he tamed it-no it was a whole horde of dragons, or maybe it was a Sea Serpent? Definitively not! It stands to reason that since he died against the Romans then it must of have been an entire legion…
Regardless of the perception of Saint George at the time the order was commissioned as the Republic’s first amphibious regiment during Dogaressa Febe’s war. Given state sanction and training the pirates engaged in organized pillage and assassination. Mounted, mobile, and amphibious the Order of Saint George was used to great effect against enemy peasants and supplies during Dogaressa Febe’s war. The transition of the force into its modern special forces role took place during….
Sant Xòrxi Croxóe (Saint George’s Cross)
Originally the flag of the Republic of Genoa the flag has been co-opted by the Knight Militant Order of Saint George as its insignia. Today, it is a mark of distinction among the Venetian military while aboard it is known as the blood cross, the red cross, and a mark of doom for those unfortunate enough to see it firsthand.
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On a side note for those of you able to read Italian, I've been replacing my broken Italian with broken Venetian instead. Hurray!
