Cargo Ship 2

Another view of a modern reconstruction of a Roman cargo ship that plied the Mediterranean Sea during the first centuries A.D.  The bow of the boat is on the right, and at the stern note the steering oar.

These ships could carry all types of cargo including grain (Alexandria Egypt to Rome), wine, olive oil, and other foodstuffs.  According to an ancient source the larger grain ships could be up to 180 ft. + [55 m.] long.

The Apostle Paul traveled on such a ship as he was being taken to Rome.  It is said that there were 276 people on the ship—along with all the cargo (Acts 27:18, 37).