Why are you using sails and oars? You can use steam. All you'd need is wood and coal. That and people who know how it works. Sails and oars could be used on the side, but the absence of oil doesn't automatically make them (sails and oars) a necessity, or the primary source of seaborne power. Steam would be relatively easy to use, and more effective.

The following is not meant to offend, and I'm only pointing it out because I'm on the topic and I'm genuinely curious -- Why are they suddenly Venetian? It is rather strange that a bunch of Canadians would suddenly pretend to be Venetian.