Turtle ship (16th cent)

[john sefton]

The "Turtle Ship" was constructed to the plans of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, Korea's naval chief, in 1590 or thereabouts. The vessel was 120ft. in length and had a beam of 30ft. It was propelled by 20 oars,10 a side, and had a curved deck of iron plates, shaped like the back of a turtle, from which it took its name. Obviously, the vessel rates as the world's first armour-plated warship. In the engagement between the Japanese and Koreans at Ok-po in June 1592, the "Turtle Ship" by her very appearance alone broke the Japanese morale. Nothing before had ever been seen like it. A huge sea monster breathing smoke and flames approached them. This was caused by the burning of a mixture of saltpetre and sulphur in the hold causing smoke to rise from vents in the ship's sides and figurehead, a huge turtle head, which was also a very effective battering ram. The Japanese fled from the monster, which by means of its oarsmen easily overtook them and sank them one by one by cannon fire, hand grenades, bombs and fire arrows of undoubtedly primitive make but most effective at close quarters on wooden junks.
Incidentally the "Turtle Ship" was twice the size of the Japanese junks. In a later engagement at Han San Island the "Turtle Ship" was responsible for the annihilation of two Japanese fleets, 71 ships being sunk. The hulk of the "Turtle Ship" was found in the sand in the village of Ko-sung towards the end of last century. Ko-sung is on the coast of Kyung-sang Province.
Sea Breezes March 1956 (note: in his article, Ernest Argyle referred to this ship as "Tortoise" ship. I have used "turtle" to correspond with the catalogue description.
Korea SG256, 433, 434.

[aukepalmhof]

The Turtle Ship
As a pioneering type of war ship of the Joseon Dynasty, the Turtle Ship was conceived in 1592 by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin who anticipated a Japanese invasion. The shape and tactical capabilities portrayed by Admiral Yi Sun-Shin himself are as follows:
“Wooden planks are laid on the upper deck of the ship, and on those planks, narrow cross-shaped ramps are placed to enable people to walk through, with sharp spear heads and spikes lodged on the rest of ship’s surface. The bow of the ship is shaped like a head of a dragon, while the stern takes the shape of the tail of a turtle. There are gun ports fore and aft and also six gun ports port and starboard respectively, where large projectiles are loaded and fired. When enemy soldiers attempt to board the vessel, a straw mat is placed over the blades on the back of the Turtle Ship so they cannot be seen. The Turtle Ship will hereinafter be in the vanguard of naval warfare, with its sharp spear heads and spikes stopping enemy soldiers from climbing onto its back. When enemy ships try to siege the Turtle Ship, it can fire its cannons simultaneously fore and aft, port and starboard.”
Yi Sun-Shin, Korea’s venerated admiral, utilized the Turtle Ship as an assault ship and gained victory in 23 naval battles over 7 years under the spirit of “If you want to live through combat, you will certainly die. But if you want to die at combat, you will certainly live.” The Korean people take immense pride in both Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and his indomitable Turtle Ship.
Portugal 2011 N20g sg?, scott?
Source: Portuguese Post.

North Korea 1983 20ch sgN2313 and 1984 80ch sgMSN2406
Cuba 2015 1.00P sgMS?, scott?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_ship

[Arturo]

Turtle Ship

Marshall Islands 2005, S.G.?, Scott: 868g.