Navis actuaria

As Navis actuaria (plural naves actuariae ) is called a transport ship in the Roman fleet .

The marine transporter had a number of oars (maximum 30, i.e. 15 on each side) and sails. The vehicles were built with a narrow fore and aft and bulged amidships. They had flat keels so that they could run aground without damage, and were equipped with rudders fore and aft so that they could land with the bow or stern. The Navis actuaria could run up on any beach, unload and run off again without turning later. It was therefore also suitable for the transport of horses and supplies.

It is assumed that an Actuaria was 21 m long and 6.50 m wide. The draft must have been shallow (approx. 0.80–0.90 m). Most of the actuariae were not armed. Some of the ships used by Germanicus in the year 16 had superstructures ( pontes ) on which light guns could be driven.

The Navis actuaria is to be distinguished from the late antique type of ship, the Navis lusoria , which was a narrowly built patrol boat.

literature

• Emil Luebeck : Actuariae . In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume I, 1, Stuttgart 1893, Col. 331.
• Hans DL Viereck: The Roman fleet. Classis romana. Koehler, Herford 1975, ISBN 3-7822-0106-X (also: Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-33-7 ).