Q&A ยท 2:42:57-2:44:27

Why Europe did not adopt turtle-ship designs

European navies required strategic range and ocean-going performance that a specialized Korean coastal warship was not designed to provide.

Question

Why did European navies not develop ships like the turtle ship?

Short answer

Because European operations prioritized ocean-going endurance and strategic mobility, while turtle ships were specialized for close combat in Korean coastal waters.

Notes

A turtle ship could be highly effective in a short-range mauling fight, but European fleets also had to cross open water, maneuver under sail, and remain effective in the North Sea and North Atlantic. The Korean design's shallow, maneuverable hull and oar power suited strong currents and confined littoral operations. Different operating environments therefore produced different balances of armor, mobility, endurance, and seakeeping.