Rigs of Ships

Rigging

The system of tackle,
ropes etc.supporting the masts
and controlling the sails of a ship.
The first sea-going vessels usually had a single square
sail although some had a triangular one instead. As ships grew larger, extra sails were added. Square
and triangular sais worked well together. in the 1400's a
three masted fully rigged
ship appeared, then came the galleon, later extra sails
were added for greater speed,this was the age of the fast clippers.


SCHOONER. There was no limit to the number of masts, although two was the minimum.its diagonal sails made it easy to handle.	BARQUE. A typical English sailing vessel, multi mast and square rigged, a genuine ocean going ship, for fast journeys around the globe.	LUGGER. With masts varying in number between one and three, they were popular as fishing and smuggling vessels.	COBLE. These vessels hailed mainly from the northern ports of Yorkshire, like this one from Whitby.

BAWLEY. With an extremely long bowsprit,this vessel was a cross between a barge and a cutter. Used as a pilot boat and for fishing.	YAWL. Similar to a cutter, but having an additional mast aft called a jigger.The abscence of a large mainsail made it safe in most weathers.	SLOOP. Essentially a racing yacht with two easy to operate sails. One of the few rigs seen today.	THAMES BARGE. Despite its clumsy appearance it was a fast moving vessel which could be handled by two men.

KETCH. Employed chiefly as a coastal cargo vessel, it was also the mainstay of the Brixham trawler fleet, which sailed out of Devon.		BRIG. Popular as a coastal gargo vessel in the 19th Century. This vessel was rather cumbersome and so fell out of favour.


1400's Three masted CARRACK	1800's Fast CLIPPER.