What was the Portuguese caravel?

caravel, a light sailing ship of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries in Europe, much-used by the Spanish and Portuguese for long voyages. Apparently developed by the Portuguese for exploring the coast of Africa, the caravel’s chief excellence lay in its capacity for sailing to windward.

What was so significant about the Portuguese caravel?

Although the caravel had already been in use for hundreds of years, it developed into an incredibly fast, easily maneuverable vessel by this time, which was noticed by eminent people. This extraordinary vessel gained fame with the Portuguese and Spanish voyages of discovery.

What is the caravel known for?

CARAVEL. The Iberian workhorse known as the caravel was one of the most important ships not only in Iberian history, but in the history of the world. The caravel was a vessel of paramount importance in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was used to traverse the immense barrier to the New World.

What means a caravel?

Definition of caravel : any of several sailing ships specifically : a small 15th and 16th century ship that has broad bows, high narrow poop, and usually three masts with lateen or both square and lateen sails.

Why was the caravel ship important?

Clearly, the Caravel revolutionized European transportation. This technology made it possible for European explorers, fishermen, and merchants to “expand their horizons,” by providing the ability to travel further, faster. One could argue that it played a major role in the rapid colonization of the New World.

How did the caravel ship work?

A caravel usually had two or three masts (and much more rarely four), and these were equipped with lateen sails. The lateen sail was triangular and the name derives from ‘Latin’ even if it was inspired by the sails of Arab sailing vessels, particularly the dhow with its single lateen sail.

What makes the caravel unique from other ships?

Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal created the Caravel for long distance trade. It boasted two or three masts that had interchangeable sails. Square sails were used for open water while lateen sails were used for shoreline sailing. The also had a rounded bottom, making them faster than other vessels of their time.

How does a caravel work?

What does caravel built mean?

Definition of carvel-built : built with the planks meeting flush at the seams a carvel-built ship.

How did the caravel help Portuguese explorers?

What made the caravel useful for exploration?

European shipbuilders built a better ship; The caravel was a strong ship that could travel in the open seas & in shallow water. Caravels had triangular lateen sails that allowed ships to sail against the wind. A moveable rudder made the caravel more maneuverable. Cannons & rifles gave ships protection.

How was the caravel used?

It was generally used for carrying cargo and fishing. Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal created the Caravel for long distance trade. It boasted two or three masts that had interchangeable sails. Square sails were used for open water while lateen sails were used for shoreline sailing.

What is a Portuguese caravel?

The caravel ( Portuguese: caravela, IPA: [kɐɾɐˈvɛlɐ]) is a small highly-maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing windward ( beating ).

What is the history of the caravel?

See Article History. Caravel, a light sailing ship of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries in Europe, much-used by the Spanish and Portuguese for long voyages. Apparently developed by the Portuguese for exploring the coast of Africa, the caravel’s chief excellence lay in its capacity for sailing to windward. It was also capable of remarkable speed.

What is the origin of the word Caravela?

Its English name derives from the Portuguese caravela, which in turn may derive from the Arabic qārib, used to refer to an ancient boat type known as carabus in Latin or κάραβος in Greek, perhaps indicating some continuity of its carvel build through the ages. Until the 15th century Europeans were limited to coastal navigation.

What are the characteristics of a caravel?

Caravel. The design of caravels underwent changes over the years, but a typical caravel of the late 15th century may be described as a broad-beamed vessel of 50 or 60 tons burden; some were as large as 160 tons. About 75 feet (23 m) long, the typical caravel had two or three pole masts, lateen-rigged ( i.e., with triangular sails).