Who would an ancient merchant ask to engineer their merchant ships? Who would a 16th century king ask to engineer their war ships? Were there the equivalent of engineering design companies during those times?

by imadedesk

I was looking at drawings of oar driven ships of the ancient times and sail driven war ships of the 16th century, and realized how much engineering went into them. How were they designed and who designed them? How would the engineers draw their designs and then get the components made? Who built them and how did the engineers show them how it was to be put together?

jschooltiger