Naumachia and Scientific Research in the Shade of the Trees: Experiments on Hulls in the Park of a Royal Palace

The Grand Canal at the Palace of Versailles, often seen as a symbol of court splendor and park design, also served a dual purpose: it was a testing ground for war and merchant hulls. This study reveals that the canal's construction in the 17th century under Louis XIV was not only an architectural marvel but also a site for empirical naval experiments. These experiments, rooted in classical and Renaissance naumachia traditions, laid the groundwork for future advancements in naval architecture, culminating in the scientific methodologies of figures like Gaspard Monge and Duhamel de Monceau in the following century. The research highlights the significance of these early trials in shaping the field's methodological development.

Ruggiero, M. E. (2024). Naumachia and Scientific Research in the Shade of the Trees: Experiments on Hulls in the Park of a Royal Palace. Nautical and Maritime Culture, from the Past to the Future. https://doi.org/10.3233/pmst240005