How an 18th Century Sailing Warship Works

Fly through a wooden warship from the age of sail!

CREDITS
Jacob O'Neal - Modeling, animation, texturing, vfx, music, narrative script
Wesley O'Neal - Research, technical script

For a much more history-driven experience, check out Epic History channel's "Victory" series here:

PATREON
Help us keep making videos:

PRIVATE WORK
Need 3D illustration and animation? Let's chat:

WEBSITE
See more explanations of how things work:

SOFTWARE USED
We use Blender 3D to create these models. It's free and open source, and the community is amazing:

0:00 Intro
00:33 Frame
02:08 Hold
03:53 Orlop Deck
07:33 Lower Gun Deck
09:36 Bilge pumps
10:57 Middle Gun Deck
12:33 Upper Gun Deck
14:06 Quarter Deck
14:46 Steering
16:17 Onboard boats
17:23 Poop deck
18:00 Hammocks
18:48 Anchors
20:36 Masts, sails, and rigging
22:52 Setting sail

Correction:
0:10 Before commenting, check the top pinned "VIDEO CORRECTIONS" thread.

[animagraffs]

VIDEO CORRECTIONS:

Feel free to add your knowledge to this comment thread. Remember, teaching others your precious knowledge is a lovely thing and is best done with patience, and not excess sharpness.

Some viewers have already pointed out that:

- "battleship" is a modern term not applicable to old ships like this.

- The boat is a "Pinnace", not pinnacle

- Proper old English terms like fo'c'sle (forecastle), which we are aware of but which I omitted in the final script.

- The Grand Magazine had light rooms nearby as well, like the hanging magazines. That is, they had separate rooms with lanterns behind glass for protection.

- Apparently the yard isn't in the correct spot when hoisted, but I'll be damned if I could find info on just how that should have been situated when I was animating it!

- The audio isn't the greatest. I know. I was being lazy, and I'll do better next time and give myself the proper time to get it right. I just dislike that part of the project. I've got a proper setup though, it's not my gear. Classic.

[maloosecat]

As someone who's been on several actual historical ships…I am surprised, how no one seems to comment on what an amazing animated 3D tutorial this is....we are taking a lot of hard work for granted watching this, thank you!

[Lewiks]

It's incredible how everything seems so rudimentary, yet so well-thought at the same time.

[gaussian]

What strikes me about these ships is how flexible and modular everything had to be; the gun decks are also mess halls and sleeping quarters. Raising anchors was a huge task that required clearing the decks, and even high-ranking officers are sleeping with a cannon or two as their roommate.

[hkwf]

it's hard to imagine how did the designer, builder centuries ago orchestra this huge project with many parts cooperating together and the ship was functionable and workable. they have to know so many kinds of knowledge, military, sailing, physics, astronomy， meteorolgy, fire safety, air ventialation etc.incredible

[kentslocum]

Not saying that modern warships aren't plenty complicated in their own right, but this video manages to demonstrate the incredible complexity and ingenuity of sailing ships.

[carnage]

It is amazing how advanced these ships really were even hundreds of years ago.

[pavelgl]

It’s not for nothing that they say the difference between prison and a ship is that you won’t drown in prison. It is impossible to imagine how the sailors of old times suffered, being in such conditions for weeks and months, and how devastating this was to their health.

[goodspellor]

This is an amazing video. I think I learned more from this video than from anything else that I have ever watched on Youtube. Those ships were so wonderfully designed with not a foot of wasted space. It's hard to believe that something like that could be engineered over 200 years ago. Thanks again for your hard work in creating this excellent video.

[kaipirinha]

Having heard about the weight of the cannons, having seen the wheels of the cannons, you understand how dangerous a "loose cannon" can be in a storm.

[Dinglesmckringles]

This ship was the pinnacle of high technology for it's time. Every single part of this ship seems to be well thought out and practical.

[bugmuff]

I love how you present fact with no bias- I’m sure the temptation to speak your opinion is huge! And at times I find I would love your opinion. I respect your dedication to providing information without slant. Super impressive. Thank you.

[budb.]

HOLY BILGE RAT Captain! I never realized how complex these old sailing vessels were! Thanks for this impressive presentation!

[hansweichselbaum]

Not sure who to admire more - the shipbuilders from four centuries ago or the maker of this video. Excellent work both of you!

[curtdilger]

As someone who has done 3D computer modeling work for many years, I must say this is astounding work. It epitomizes the powerful teaching potential of computer animation, and fulfills the dreams of people using the technology in the early years. The entire production is seamless and powerful. Makes the delivery of highly detailed and complex information seem easy and effortless, when it takes amazing skill to pull it off. Congratulations and Cheers

[LonelyPandora]

I find it very rare to find an actually detail description inside a sailing warship ship. When I looked up interior diagram, most of them are simple and basic.

[stinkbean]

Exceptional video, my wife and I watched this together, we both thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thank you.

[starmada]

It’s honestly amazing how creative humans have been able to get with simple kinetic energy and only the simple force of our muscles and wind and water. The sheer ingenuity and design history in every plank of this ship is seriously impressive.

[glenmoss]

The amount of planning, engineering, and construction for a ship built almost 260 years ago is beyond impressive. This was a thoroughly entertaining video. Thank you for creating it.

[JohnSpitzer-]

Absolutely wonderful stuff. I would love to see Jacob illustrate a modern-day carrier or destroyer. Maybe even go back an age and do a battleship. Beautiful graphics. Nice work Mr. O’Neal.