This trait proves particularly useful in northern latitudes where icebergs and sea ice pose hazards to navigation. Longships are also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without having to turn around.

The ship's shallow draft allows navigation in waters only one meter deep and permits beach landings, while its light weight enables it to be carried over portages. They are long, narrow, light, wooden craft with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed. Longships are a smaller type of ship primarily used by the ironborn, but also coastal lords and the Andals of antiquity.The flagship of House Hightower, Honor of Oldtown, and the flagship of the royal fleet, King Robert's Hammer, are the two largest known galleys in Westeros.

By adding another level of oars, the galley could be made shorter with as many rowers, while making them strong enough to be effective ramming weapons. The real world, practical upper limit for a galley fast and maneuverable enough for warfare was around twenty-five to thirty oars per side. The ability to travel swiftly without regard to the direction or strength of the wind becomes invaluable for daylight expeditions across open water. The galley has supplemental sails to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys. Their large rower crew makes them maneuverable and swift but also require frequent stops for food and water. Due to their low setting they are primarily coastal ships, preferring to thread through archipelagos rather than risking even a moderate sea. Galleys are propelled by sail or oar power and are used for warfare, trade, and piracy.A hulk refurbished by House Greyjoy, by Lake Hurwitz © Fantasy Flight Games

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