A Gazetteer Of Ships Circa
Among the wide range of types, sizes and rigs of sailing vessels in the Caribbean, nine basic approaches to shipbuilding can be observed. Although every ship was individually designed and built, shipbuilders copied one another, producing ships of remarkable similarity. The general types are summarized below.
Definitions
Speeds are given ¡n leagues (about 2.5 miles) travelled during a watch (about 4 hours). The first value rs best speed in a light wind, the second is best speed in a strong wind.
Best Point ol Sailing refers to the wind direction in which Ihe ship makes its best speed. Each type of ship fl^ a sailing.
-j ; diagram below illustrates the terms (or dilferent points ot sailing.
Beam Reach
Bioad beam reach B'oad reach •
Runninc na bread reach c the wind inning broad reach
Broad reach Broad beam rea:h na bread reach c the wind inning broad reach
Close-hauled into the eye into the eye ot the wind
Close-hauled into the eye
Broad reach Broad beam rea:h
Beam Reach
Beam Reach
Close-hauled beam reach Close-hauled
Close-hauled into the eye into the eye ot the wind
Close-hauled into the eye
Close-hauled Close-hauled beam reach
Wind blows Irom this direction
Spanish Galleon
Best Speed— 7-15 leagues
Best Point of Sailing— Broad Reach
Maximum Number of Cannons — 36 guns Typical Number of Cannons—20-24 guns Maximum Personnel— 288 men Typical Crew and Passengers — 275 men Cargo Space—160 tons
Square-rigged galleons were tte largest sailing vessels on the Spanish Main. Originally ttey were created because it was cheaper to build one large ship than to build two smaller ones. However, larger ships are harder to gfflfwnr ^n wwllftrnpfts They are sic« to turn and difficult to sail into the wind. Still, the capacity and powerful arrows makes tb$ galleon a tough opponent m battle.
panish War Galleon
Best Speed— 7-15 leagues
Best Point ot Sailing - Sro3d Reach or Running Reach Maximum Number of Cannons — 32 guns Typical Number ot Cannons—28-32 guns Maximum Personnel— 25*6 men Typical Crew and Passengers—250 men Cargo Space— MO ions
War gal .eons are similar lo lhe merchant type, but they have less carrying capacity and more men and guns. The st •mportant dilterence is that war galleons are manned by soldiers and commanded by noble captains, making ti crave and formidable opponents in battle. Due to the belter crew, these ships are taster than merchant . lecos on a running broad reach, but just as unmaneuverable as their more peaceful cousins in other situations.
Fast Galleon
Bes! Speed—9-12 leagues
Bits! Paint of Sailing Broad Reach or Running Re&h
Maximum Number ol Cannons—28 guns
TypicalNumber ol Cannons—24 guns
Maximum Personnel— 224 men typical Crew and Passengers — 215 men
Cargo Space—120 tons
The northern Europeans refined the basic Galleon design, revising the sails lor more flexibility The result was a smaller ship than the Spanish Galleon, but one vshich was faster in light winds and considerably more m^JraWe. Howjtf; it still shows the disadvantage ol all galleons — poor speed when close-hauled (sailing f '3J , in'o-ttvs wind) jr
Frigate
¿fcs/ — 9-12 leagues Best Point o! Sailing — Broad Reach or Running Reach Maximum Number of Cannons—28 guns Typical Number of Cannons—26-28 guns Maximum Personnel— 224 men Typical Crew and Passengers - 190 men Cargo Space—120 tons
M3re-r gged frigates were fast sailers, fairly handy lo maneuver, and faster than most square-rigged ships c ose-hau.ed. Frigates were useful for patrols and independent cruises. Almost all frigates built lor the Crown jsed as naval warships. I heir well-trained crews made them dangerous opponents at any time. Most pirates ". jeeaneers would disappear over the horizon when a frigate appeared!
Merchantman
Best Speed—9-12 leagues
Best Point ol Sailing— Broad Reach
Maximum Number of Cannons — 24 guns Typical Number ol Cannons — 6-12 guns Maximum Personnel—193 men Typical Crew and Passengers— 20-45 men C^/ffo S^ao?—100 tons
These square-riggers were a trader's dream1 They had large cargo capacity, space tor numerous guns, and plenty ol room lor crew and passengers. They could also be sailed with a small crew to save money. Most merchantmen are peacciui i.«icis.«ifying large cargos and sometimes a bit of wealth. Pirates always looked lorward to casing a "juicy* merchantman. However, seme ol these ships were converted to pirate vessels, armed vrth many J"4 bloodthirsty crews, making them extremely dangerous.
Cargo Fluyt
Best Speed— 9-12 leagues
Best Poinl otSailing— Running Reach
Max/mm Number ot Cannons—20 guns
Typical Number ol Cannons—4-12 guns
Maximum Personnel — 160 men vpical Crew and Passengers —12-24 men
Cargo Space—80 tons
• were invented by the Dutch around 1600. then widely copied throughout northern Europe. Essentially a but more economical merchantman, it can be sailed with a tiny crew, but still maintains a large cargo space. ..I':: also sail into shallower waters which were unsuitable to larger ships. As the smallest of the square-iluyis made poor warships They were usually manned by peaceful traders who would often surrender after side or two. They \sere unpopular as pirate ships.
Barque
Besi Speed— 9-12 leagues
Best Point ot Sailing—Broad Beam Reach Maximum Number of Cannons —16 guns Typical Number of Cannons— 4-6 guns Max/mm Personnel—128 men Typical Crew and Passengers —12-36 men Cargo Space— 60 tons
The largest o! the lore-and-alt rigged ships, barques are a Irad.iional design similar to many Mediterranean nvrchant and war ships. Many barques were built in the Caribbean rather than Europe because Ihey were good sailers on quiet seas, but could have trouble on the rough voyages across the Ailantic.
Bamues are the slowest close-hauled sailers among the lore-and-alt riggers, arc! the least maneuverable, yet ijjt advantages of 85 rig are so great that they were still better than the square-rigged ships in bolh categories jrUddition. they earned oats, and could therelore be sailed straight into the wind. Due to the size and handling, a piraie barque can be a tough opponeni.
Sloop
Pest Speed — 9-10 leagues
Qjy-
Best Point of Sailing—Broad Reach or Broad Beam Reach
Maximum Number ol Cannons—12 guns Typical Number ol Cannons—4-6 guns Maximum Personnel— 96 men Typical Crew and Passsngsrs —8-12 men Cargo Space—40 tons ier Dutch design, sloops became very popular in the Caribbean. They are extremely last and .; able belter than almost any ship in light winds Close-hauled they sail very last, and wlh oars they vs directly into trie wind Mösl Importantly, they have a shallow draft, allowing them lo sail over shoals and Vit" little risk. The main weakness is that in strong winds it sails considerably slower than the large square-ships. In such cases, the only advantage is the maneuverability and superior speed close-hauled or into the wind.
; spite its modest size and cargo capacity, its maneuverability made il Ihe preferred choice of many
:e;s ove; larger, mere powerful crafts. In lacl. the English Royal Navy began building sloops lor its own use
- irate-catchers
Pinnace
Best Speed—9-10 leagues
Best Point ol Sailing — Broad Beam Reach or Broad Reach Maximum Number of Cannons — 8 guns Typical Number ol Cannons - - 2-4 guns Maximum Personnel— 64 men Typical Cm and Passengers - 8-12 men Cargo Space—20 tons
Before the sloops the pinnaces were the primary small craft of the Caribbean. Like the sloop, the pinnace is very last and maneuvctaDle. with a draft that permits sailing over shoals and reefs. Sailing upwind (close-hauled), it is even taster than a sloop, and much faster when rowing into the wind. However, a pinnace is much smaller than a sloop, with little cargo capacity or room tor armament and ere«. Still, many pirate raids were conducted with pinnaces crammed with lighting men Sir Francis Drake himself abandoned his merchantmen in favor ol pinnaces nish Main.
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