[LS]

Just reading this week that the wheel was almost unknown in the Muslim world at this time (think of the implications of THAT!). When told about the loss of his fleet, the Sultan asked how much it would cost to replace it, and his vizier said, "Sire, we could outfit a whole new fleet with silver anchors and silken riggings." He missed the whole point---he was beaten by European cannons, and the Muslims could not steal or buy new cannon designs in sufficient quantity or with the latest innovations.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The work of giants, to serve well the guns.

[Valin]

Just reading this week that the wheel was almost unknown in the Muslim world at this time
No flame, BUT I'm gonna need a source on that.

the Sultan asked how much it would cost to replace it
I recall reading this also. If memory serves it was shortly after that the Sultan and the ruling elite started asking why they lost and why they were falling behind the west. At least according to Dr. Bernard Lewis.