The boat dates back to 1685 AD.  In 1773 Marquis Claude de Jouffroy d’ Abbans made a steamboat in France utilizing a steam motor from England that was made by James E. Watt (1736-1819).  Watt’s engine proved to be way too heavy for the ship, which sank a little after it was launched.

    Sails of the British battleship HMS Sultan, made in 1871, covered an area of 2,630 square yards.  That’s 12 tennis courts long!  The very first sailing ships maybe went over the Mediterranean 5,000 years ago.  The Ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians had galleys 100 feet long and sails 70 feet wide.  When there was less wind, the ships had hundreds of oarsmen or slaves ready and refreshed to paddle.