Ancient warships were designed around a bow ram that was shoved into the hull of enemy ships to puncture and immobilise them. A ramming attack demanded an experienced and well-drilled crew because the speed and angle of the collision were vital to the effectiveness of the attack, with some angles demanding higher speeds. However, as ships became larger, heavier and more impervious to ramming, naval warfare began to mirror the land battles of the time. Ships became mobile platforms for artillery and the hand-to-hand combat skills of the crew became the key to naval supremacy.
