NAVY, THE, a term used for a country's armed force operating on water or in defense of coasts and har bors. The earliest recorded sea-fights were waged by the Egyptians against the Phoenicians, Phomans, and Mysians, about 3000 B. C. The Phcenicians, among the greatest sea-faring people of an tiquity, occupied a narrow strip of sea coast in Asia Minor. After casting off the yoke of Egyptian rule, from 1200 B. C. to 870 B. C., the Phoenicians com was about 100 feet long and propelled by rowers, having an iron-sheathed prow like a beak, to pierce enemy vessels. It was surmounted by the national emblem, an owl for the Athenians, a cock for the Phcenicians and Carthaginians, and an eagle for the Romans. The galley was decked over for the fighting men who were shielded by a hide curtain, from behind which they launched arrows and javelins. There were machines for hurl ing stones, masses of iron, and flaming missiles. The commander directed op erations from an elevated station. He commanded the soldiers, and under him were the pilot who directed the steers man; a mate who commanded the sail ors, and a boatswain the rowers. A musician with voice and instrument cheered and inspired the oarsmen at their task. The vessels usually advanced in triangular formation, the admiral in the lead. After victory, the richest spoils were reserved as oblations to the gods. In the beginning of the Middle Ages, the countries bordering on the Baltic and North Seas, famous sea-rovers, began to organize navies. Tales of the sea-fights in those days are so colored by fable as to be unreliable. There exists an au thoritative record of a Saxon (British) sea-fight in which many vessels were en gaged. In 870 A. D. Harald Haarfagr, King of Norway, fought and won a naval battle against the vessels which minor kings of his country had sent against him. Olaf Trygvasson, a grandson of Harald, with the allied powers of Den mark, Vendland, and Norwegians of the province of Viken fought a naval battle in which vessels 150 feet long were interested in ordnance and the building of big ships. The "Great Harry" carried
75 guns and 760 men. He was the first sovereign to appoint officers for naval warfare only. The guns and gun-car riages employed during his reign were not changed for 200 years. He founded the docks of Woolwich, Deptford, and Portsmouth. Little was accomplished by succeeding sovereigns until the reign of Elizabeth. As the modern navy de gaged. In 1014 A. D. the Danes and Sax ons captured London, in the first recorded naval fight against a land force. Norse sea-power began to decline in the latter part of the 11th century, but Sigurd was successful at sea in expeditions against the Moors in Spain and the pirates of the Mediterranean. Spain strove hard for pre-eminence as a maritime nation, but was not successful, and the destruc tion of the Armada, 1588, was the last blow to her aspirations. The British and the Dutch long held the lead in naval veloped from galley to great ship the vital questions became speed, construe tion, offensive armaments, and facilities, for maneuvering. At first there were only two classes of vessels, the ship-of line bearing the brunt of the offensive, and the frigate for speed. The ship-of line, a three-decker, carried 100 or more guns, and bore the burden of battle. The frigate was employed on special mis sions and preyed on enemy ships. With the passing of wooden vessels, came iron and steel ships, new types were intro warfare. Alfred the Great may be said to have founded the British navy, and Athelstane, Edwy the Fair, and Canute strengthened the sea-forces and increased the number of vessels. After the Nor man conquest there was a great expan sion in ships of commerce and defense. Under Henry II. and Richard the Lion hearted, British sea-power grew in strength and efficiency. In 1340 Edward III. commanded in person at the battle of Sluys when the French lost 300 ves sels. It was the first naval fight in which sails replaced oars. Henry VIII. was duced and improvements in the power of the guns.