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Caravels
The caravel (Portuguese: , ) is a small maneuverable sailing ship used 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). Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Discovery. Etymology Its English name derives from the Portuguese ''caravela'', which in turn may derive from the Latin ''carabus'' or in Greek, perhaps indicating some continuity of its carvel build through the ages. History The earliest caravels originated in the thirteenth century on the coasts of Galicia and Portugal. They may well have been derived from similar Muslim craft that were used elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula. These early caravels were used for offshore fishing and some coastal cargo carrying. They were small, lightly-built vesselsperhaps of 20 tons or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iberian Ship Development, 1400–1600
Due to centuries of constant conflict, warfare and daily life in the Iberian Peninsula were interlinked. Small, lightly equipped armies were maintained at all times. The near-constant state of war resulted in a need for maritime experience, ship technology, power, and organization. This led the Crowns of Aragon, Portugal, and later Castile, to put their efforts into the sea. Due to geography, Iberian countries had greater access to the sea than did much of Europe; this allowed the Iberian kingdoms to become a people of mariners and traders. These people had the motivation to move; they were close to the wealth of Africa and the Mediterranean. Expansion and development of ship technology were due to commercial, military and religious endeavors. By 1411, Portugal was no longer fighting Castile. In 1415, it conquered Ceuta, its first overseas colony. The crusades cemented trade and external alliances. Portugal wanted to protect its coast from Muslim raids and secured their base i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
