In the age of the galley, it seems to have been a primary tactic. I know later in the monitor/steamship era it was used as well. I understand that reinforcing a hull specifically for ramming would slow down a sailing ship, and the broadsides of larger ships would certainly make it hazardous if not suicidal. But is there any record of ramming being used successfully in the midst of a major battle during this time? Or of any ship taking or sinking another via ramming?