Arow galley was a term used in the United States for an armed watercraft that used oars rather than sails as a means of propulsion. During theage of sail, row galleys had the advantage of propulsion while sail boats might be stopped or running at slow speed because of lack of wind for their sails. While calledgalleys, they were based on different hull type than the Mediterranean galley, the term being used mainly due to the employment of oars.[1]
Row galleys were often fitted with sails in addition to the oars.[2] During theAmerican Revolutionary War, row galleys, such asSpitfire andWashington, with crews of up to 60 oarsmen, were employed successfully in battle against largerwarships.[citation needed] During theAmerican Civil War,Union navy andConfederate States Navy ships operating in rivers and other interior waterways, would send row galleys to surprise and capture enemy ships anchored for the night.[citation needed]
 | This naval article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This article about a type of ship or boat is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |