1st Punic War

[Guthwyn]

Hello all.

The recent topic regarding Hannibal sparked my curiosity regarding Cathage and the Punic Wars. While all of the sources I have found agree that Rome's establishment of naval superiority over Carthage (which was dominant until that point) was key to eventual victory over Carthage, I have found little to no description of the naval battles that took place.
If anyone has any links or info. they can provide, I would greatly appreciate it. From what I have read so far, the defeat of Carthage was no small feat for young Rome, and I'm curious just how they managed it.

Thank's for any help,

Guthwyn

[DojoRat]

This is from my school days so it maybe dated but I recall Rome used a long gangplank with a spike on it which it would drop on the enemy ship and then board with marines.

It also had greater resources to replace it's loses, both ships and men.

But others here would know better.

[Somebody Else]

Initially the Romans were pants at naval combat, but were overwhelming on land. So, with the corvus (gang-plank with spike) they converted a naval action into a boarding action, and their heavily armed marines could charge across and slaughter the enemy sailors. Then they went and copied Carthaginian ship designs as well. Did't really help the Carthagininans, that.

[Hakonarson]

This site http://www.barca.fsnet.co.uk/basics.htm has a good general overview including he naval battles of the 1st Punic war.