But one question is to be observ’d, How first after the expiration of so many Ages in these our later times, a New-World was discover’d, altogether unknown to the Antients, when they in the greatness of their Parts and Undertaking, Prowess and Prudence, were no ways inferior to the Modern, and every way as fit for great Designs and grand Exploits? We need not scruple or make the least doubt, but the Sea hath been Navigated of old; but the first attempters set forth unexperienc’d, in as pittiful and ill-contriv’d Vessels. The _Heathens_ ascribe the Art of Navigation, first to the _Cretans_, who under the Conduct of _Neptune_, set forth a Navy to explore Foraign Countries. But _Pliny_ long before gives the Invention of this Art to _Erythra_, King of _Egypt_, who upon Pieces of Timber, conjoyn’d and brac’d together, crept along the Shores, and ventur’d to Discover the Isles in the _Red-Sea_. But others give that honor to the _Trojans_, and _Micians_, when with a Fleet by Sea, they Invaded _Thrace_: Others, to the _Brittains_, who made little Vessels of Leather, and were the first that by this Invention found how to Float upon the Waters: Some plead, that the _Samothracians_ were first; Others, that _Danæus_ before all, found a way by Sea from _Egypt_ to _Greece_. But without all Contradiction, _Noah_’s Ark was the Pattern or Sample, that succeeding Ages imitating, built their Ships by; and the more probable, because his Offspring multiplying so fast, that they were enforc’d to inlarge their Colonies, by passing Seas, and other broad Rivers, to settle their Super-numeraries there. [Sidenote: The first Inventers of several things belonging to Shipping.] So _Jason_ Invented a Ship, which he call’d _Argos_, which _Sesostris_ King of _Egypt_ took as his Pattern. Next, the _Biremis_, a Galley with double Banks of Oars, was made by the _Erythreans_; with treble Banks, by the _Corinthian Amocles_; the addition of the _Quadruple_, the _Carthaginians_ boast; of the _Quinqueremis Nesichthon_, _Alexander the Great_, brought them to twelve Banks; _Ptolomy Soter_, to fifteen; _Demetrius_, _Antigonus_ Son, doubled them to thirty; _Ptolomy Philadelphus_, to forty; and last of all, _Philopater_ rais’d them to fifty Banks of Oars. _Hippus_ a _Tirian_, was the first that set Ships upon the Stocks; the _Rhodians_ a Ketch, and the _Batavians_ a Boat; the _Copes_ made the first Oar; _Dedalus_ the Mast and Boltsprit; _Piscus_ the Beak; the _Tyrrheans_ the Anchor; _Tiphys_ the Rudder; taking example from the motion of a Kites Stern; _Icarus_ found Sails, fancy’d by the Poets for Wings, though some ascribe that honor to his Father _Dedalus_. [Sidenote: Why in former Ages no remote Countreys were discover’d.]