Turtle ship

The Turtle Ship, which is also known as Kobukson or Geobukseon (거북선), is a galley that was invented in the 15th century. The Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin and Lt. Na Dae Yong is credited for inventing the turtle ship, which gained fame by successfully repelling the Japanese invading armada, against extreme odds, in the Imjin War (1592-1598).

Considered one of the first (if not the first) ironclad warships in the world, it had armour covering the top of the ship that protected rowers and its naval crew, and looked like a turtle with a dragon's head, hence the name. The armour had iron spikes to prevent the enemy from boarding the ship, the preferred tactic of an infantry-oriented Japanese. The turtle ship's main artillery consisted of cannons of various sizes for different distances. There were also many portholes where archers shot flaming arrows. The mouth of the dragon head mast shot fumes as a smokescreen.

It was a pivotal instrument for victory in several sea battles, led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, most famous of them being the battles at Noryang and Battle of Myeongnyang, where the invading Japanese navy suffered critical losses that would later lead to its withdrawal. By utilizing the turtle ship and brilliant naval strategy, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was able to preserve an undefeated naval battle record of 26 consecutive victories.

Turtle ships were a featured unique unit for the Korean civilization in the expansion to the computer game Age of Empires II. The game also featured a scenario in which the player commands Admiral Yi Sun-sin's fleet against the Japanese armada, a reenactment of the Battle of Noryang Point. Turtle ships also exist in the Admiral Yi Campaign of Empires:_Dawn_of_the_Modern_World.

See also: Turtle ship, 15th century, Admiral, Battle of Myeongnyang, Battle of Noryang Point, Computer game, Galley, Ironclad warships