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Spéronare
The ''speronara'' ( mt, xprunara, french: spéronare) was a type of small Merchant ship, merchant craft originating from Malta which was used in the Mediterranean from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. The vessels usually had no deck and only one mast, often with a lateen or Spritsail, sprit sail. Some larger vessels had a half deck or up to three masts. They were common in the trade between Malta and Sicily, and they also traveled to other ports in the Mediterranean. They were used to carry passengers or merchandise and they were often involved in smuggling. In some cases, the boats were also used for fishing, corsairing or as gunboats, with the French Navy's Calypso-class spéronare, ''Calypso''-class spéronares'' being examples of the latter. History The ''speronara'' originated in Malta, and its design probably developed from the brigantine in around the 16th century. The earliest known possible reference of the vessel type is from 1576, but the earliest reliable sourc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Calypso-class Spéronare
The ''Calypso'' class consisted of two ''spéronare''s constructed at Corfu, one in 1812 and one in 1813. The two vessels, ''Calypso'' and ''Nausicaa'', appear to have been highly similar, and ''Nausicaa'' was described as fast both under sail and oars. ''Calypso'' Launched 17 August 1812, and named for Calypso (mythology), Calypso of Greek mythology. On 6 January 1813, the boats of and captured five armed French vessels sailing from Corfu to Otranto to convoy the payment for the troops on the island. The British stated that the French resisted, but the British suffered no casualties. The five were: * ''Calypso'', one 12-pounder, and 50 men under the command of ''enseigne de vaisseau'' de Luce''; * ''Salamine'', one 9-pounder, one 6-pounder, and 36 men under the command of ''enseigne de vaisseau'' Benenquier; * ''Indomptable'', one 14-pounder gun, one 6-pounder, and 36 men under the command of ''enseigne de vaisseau'' Eyffren; * ''Arrogante'', one 14-pounder, one 6-pounder, and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |