Large Japanese vessels which were used mainly for transporting supplies and troops to Korea. They were more functional as floating fortresses than actual warships. Due to their V-shaped bottoms, these ships could cut sharply through water currents and move at much greater speeds than any Korean warship. But what they gained in speed, they lost in durability.
Using a lighter type of wood, the Japanese, were able to mass-produce a large number of Atakebune ships in record timing. Given the speed and numbers of the Japanese military, Korea didn’t stand a chance when 400 vessels suddenly appeared on the shores of Busan in 1592.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 26, 2011