Instead of constructing vessels from the forest, we are now digging new navies out of the bowels of the earth, and our "walls," instead of wood, are now of iron and steel.
The attempt to propel ships by other means than sails and oars went on from century to century, and did not succeed until almost within our own time.

It is said that the Roman army under Claudius Codex was transported into Sicily in boats propelled by wheels moved by oxen.
Galleys, propelled by wheels in paddles, were afterwards attempted.
The Harleian MS.

contains an Italian book of sketches, attributed to the 15th century, in which there appears a drawing of a paddle-boat, evidently intended to be worked by men.

Paddle-boats, worked by horse-power, were also tried.

Blasco Garay made a supreme effort at Barcelona in 1543.