The ark was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It had 97,700 square feet of total deck space, equivalent in area to more than 20 basketball courts. Its total volume was around 1,500,000 cubic feet and the gross tonnage exceeded some 14,000 tons (see Gen 6:14–16). It was not until 1884 AD that this huge boat was exceeded by modern man (when the Italian vessel, Eiuria, was built). Author Frederick Filby points out the significance of the ark’s dimensions:

The Ark was, according to the specifications laid down, to be 300 cubits long by 500 cubits wide by 30 cubits high. The ratios of these numbers are very interesting. They obviously reflect an advanced knowledge of ship building. The Babylonian account which speaks of the Ark as a cube betrays complete ignorance. Such a vessel would spin slowly around. But the Bible ratios leave nothing to be desired. (The Flood Reconsidered, p. 90)