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In battle, of course, such shields are not hung on the side of the ship; they would obstruct the thole ports; but, even if oars were not used, they would be within the hull, at hand; why should a crewman expose himself to missile fire to retrieve a shield so fastened? Also, of course, when the ship is under sail they are not carried on the side, for the waves, always a menace in a ship with a low freeboard, would strike against them, and perhaps even tear them from the ship. - (Marauders of Gor, Chapter 2, Sentence #169)

In some such ships, the men sit not on benches but on their own large, locked sea chests, fixed in place, using them as benches. When, in the harbor, the ship rested on its moorings, the shields, overlapping, of its men were hung on the sides; this was another indication of peaceful intent. The shields were round, and of wood, variously painted, some reinforced with iron bands, others with leather, some with small bronze plates. In battle, of course, such shields are not hung on the side of the ship; they would obstruct the thole ports; but, even if oars were not used, they would be within the hull, at hand; why should a crewman expose himself to missile fire to retrieve a shield so fastened? Also, of course, when the ship is under sail they are not carried on the side, for the waves, always a menace in a ship with a low freeboard, would strike against them, and perhaps even tear them from the ship. But now they hung at the ship's sides, tied by their straps to the wooden bars inside the gunwales. The men did not carry their shields. They came in peace. - (Marauders of Gor)