Turtle ship

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article 22 October 2025.

Edward: "Iron shots simply bouncing off their hulls? That's a mighty impressive sight to behold, Mr. Yun!"

Yun: "Mark my words, Mr. Kenway, armored ships shall be the future of naval warfare!"

—Edward Kenway and Yun Pyeong-Gyu witnessing the turtle ships in action, 1725.

The turtle ship (Korean: 거북선) was a type of ship used in Korea during the Joseon dynasty, from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Primarily used against the invading Japanese fleets, turtle ships were characterized by their metal roofs, which were highly resistant to cannon fire, and protruding spikes. For this reason, they have been described by some historians as a precursor to the ironclad warship.

In 1725, the Joseon engineer Yun Pyeong-Gyu constructed two turtle ships, which were used by the Zhang Wei Union against Admiral Jeong's blockade near the coast of Indochina. The ships' armor plating proved effective against the enemy fleet's cannon fire, allowing the vessels to approach the blockade and set most of it alight using their mounted Greek fire flamethrowers.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple