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Scene 66 This webpage reproduces a section of A Description of the Trajan Column by John Hungerford Pollen printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, printers to Queen Victoria London, 1874 Text and engravings are in the public domain. Any color photographs are © William P. Thayer 1997- Scene 68

SCENES OF THE SPIRAL BAND RUNNING UP THE SHAFT

LXVII. Trajan departs with fresh forces for the war

The scene is a seaport at which fresh troops probably belonging to another legion have disembarked. A large sailing transport is at anchor inside the harbour. She has open raised bulwarks, and a gallery similarly protected is carried on brackets over her stern. This gallery projects over the stern post, which is carried up and curved gracefully over backwards, and carved in the shape of a swan's neck. A tall mast amidships is stayed down by three ropes or shrouds to the sides of the ship. A yard to which a square sail is closely reefed is hoisted on this mast, and ropes from either end of the yard are carried forward to keep the sail from swinging out of its place. An anchor is cast over the side. The shank of the anchor is of great length. The stock is of iron like the rest, and there is a ring on the upper end of the shank as well as another at the junction of the flukes so as to secure it at sea. A hemp cable is looped over the anchor. The usual paddle or rudder swings over emperor quarter, where it is secured by a broad loop of metal. The handle is hooked at the top. On a hill above the port is a building covered with planks.

A number of legionaries have disembarked from the vessel just described and are following.

A horse richly caparisoned, but without saddle, is loaded with shields, and is led along with the standards. A building roofed over, and with a square window on the upper story, is distinguished behind this part of the line.

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