Lateen sail, triangular sail that was of decisive importance to medieval navigation . The sail, its free corner secured near the stern, was capable of taking the wind on either side, and, by enabling the vessel to tack into the wind, the lateen immensely increased the potential of the sailing ship. ...
How did the lateen Sails help the Europeans?
The lateen sail provided many benefits over earlier sail designs, but most notably, it allowed ships to sail closer to the wind , which enabled Mediterranean civilizations to begin exploring and traveling longer distances (Campbell).
Why were lateen Sails such an important feature of a caravel ship *?
The lateen sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing windward (beating). Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and the 16th centuries, during the Age of Discovery.
How did the caravels lateen sail help sailors?
The main reasons it was chosen for the exploration of the African coast were speed and the ability to sail windward. However, the caravel’s great lateen sail required a large crew , which was dangerous because the diminutive explorer could not carry vast amounts of fresh water for a large band of sailors.
Why was the invention of the caravel 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.
What was the effect of lateen Sails?
The sail, its free corner secured near the stern, was capable of taking the wind on either side, and, by enabling the vessel to tack into the wind , the lateen immensely increased the potential of the sailing ship.
Are lateen sails used today?
The modern lateen is often used as a simple rig for catboats and other small recreational sailing craft .
Why is the caravel so important?
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.
How fast could clipper ships sail?
A clipper ship offered its captain and crew a sailing speed of over 250 miles in a day , whereas the routine ships travelled at an average speed of 150 miles per day. In earlier times, covering 250 nautical miles in a day was a long journey.
How does a caravel sail into the wind?
On a sailboat, wind blowing against the boat at an angle inflates the sail , and it forms a similar foil shape, creating a difference in pressure that pushes the sail perpendicular to the wind direction. ... It moves at an angle opposite the direction of the wind, called windward in sailing terminology.
Who was the 1st person to successfully sail around the tip of Africa and back to Europe?
In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500) became the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia.
Who invented caravels?
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.
Why is a sail triangular?
In the early years of sailing ships, the European ships had a square sail design. ... By using a triangular sail design and centerboard (overdeveloped keel), it was possible to travel against the wind using a technique known as tacking . Tacking allows the boat to travel forward with a wind at right angles to the boat.
What was one advantage of the caravel?
The caravel gave the Portuguese a distinct advantage in exploration and trade . The lateen sails gave her speed and the capacity for sailing to windward (beating). the largest port city in Indonesia, the name derives from the Arabic malakat, meaning “market”.
How did European exploration change the world?
The Age of Exploration had a significant impact on geography. By traveling to different regions around the globe, explorers were able to learn more about areas such as Africa and the Americas and bring that knowledge back to Europe . ... These explorations also introduced a whole new world of flora and fauna to Europeans.
How did the caravel differ from earlier ships?
The caravel was much beter than previous ships due to its ability to sail fast and into the wind . Caravel planking was much thicker, and they were broad-beamed ships with 2 or 3 masts (later, they had as many as 4) with square sails and a triangular sail.
