On 10/25/2011 1:21 PM, user wrote:
am enjoying the wonderful ships. A meager contribution rgds ken


With a lanteen rig on the mizzen, and square sails on the main and fore
masts, I believe this would be called a Carrack.

The carrack was the beast of burden of the 16th century, carrying cargo
and troops to faraway lands.

It rode high in the water with the prominent forecastle (along with the
usual sterncastle) giving it a characteristic "U" shape. The high sides
made it virtually impregnable to attack from small craft,
which was often a problem in the East Indies.

The forecastle located directly above the stem, with the bowsprit rising
from its top made sailing to windward difficult and would disappear in
gallions which come next. The square rigging with a lanteen mizzen is
typical of the age.

Carracks for exploration like the Santa Maria or Magellan's Victoria
were small, about 90 tons; but merchant ships would average 250-500 tons
with a crew of 40-80 and some war ships went up to 1000 tons. The
average speed was about 80 miles/day and the trip to India took 6 to 8
months each way.


Very interesting graphics about how these ships were built, loaded and
rigged... http://nautarch.tamu.edu/shiplab/Index-virtualnau02.htm