Ships Through the Ages: Great Carrack, Spanish Caravel, Galleass

Great Carrack. The word "carrack" was in common usage in every European language during this period. The Portuguese, who seem to have been the originators of this type of 16th century vessel, spelled it "carracca," which comes nearest to its original meaning -- a ship that could carry heavy burdens or a treasure ship. Vasco da Gama commanded a fleet of carracks in his expedition eastward in search of me East Indies. / Spanish Caravel. Both the ships used by Columbus, the "Nina" and the "Pinta," were originally 15th century caravels bearing three tiny masts with lateen sails. They were in reality small fishing smacks that would never have been able to stand the long trip between Spain and the West Indies had it not been for the help of the Gulf Stream and the west wind drive. / Galleas. The 16th century galleass was developed from the large merchant galley, was higher and larger than the latter and had up to 32 oars, each worked by five men. It usually had three masts, a forecastle and aftcastle. The galleass usually carried more sails than a true galley, and it exemplified an intermediate vessel type between the galley and the true man-of-war.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library