| |
|
| |
 |
|
Geobukseon, inventde
by Admiral Yi in 1592, is the world's
first ironclad ship. It is said that his
subordinate commander Na Dae-yong playde
a major role in building the ship as a
dopyeonsu(head carpenter). Geobukseon,
which could accomodate a crew of 130 to
150, had two stories inside: some fo them
can row it with oars and put loads on
board in the first; others can fire guns
and arrows at the enemy in the second.
Its roof was covered with a great number
of iron spikes to prevent the enemy from
boarding. Sixteen oars and two sails were
equipped for good mobility(about 11 knots
per hour). There were two main gates,
each in the front and the rear, along
with four small emergency gates built
on the top. Smoke could be emitted for
a smoke screen to disorder the enemy from
the dragon-shaped front |
|
|
| |
part(mouth) of the ship.
According to Nannung Ilgi, Geobukseon was first
launched on open seas off yeosu in 27 March 1592
and it waw on 12 April of the year, the day before
Japanese forces invaded Joseon, that it was equipped
with canons such as Jijapo and Hyeonjapo for actual
fighting. It played a great role in Admiral Yi's
victory by being first deployed in his second
campaign in Sacheon, Dangpo and Danghangpo. It
was first callde Sogyeongbae(a blind ship). Its
replica on display at Hyeonchungsa's Memorial
Hall was produced on the basis of the size and
shape of the Tongjeyeong-and JeoIla Jwasuyeong-version
of Geobukseon described on complete works of Admiral
Yi published in 1795. The replica, one sixth the
original size, was donated by the Dong A Ilbo(a
newspaper publishing company) in 1969. |
|
