Knowra Caravel Caravel A small, maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Its combination of lateen and square sails enabled exploration along Atlantic and African coasts.
Lateen sail : A triangular sail set on a long yard, enabling a vessel to sail effectively at an angle to the wind. Caravels often used lateen sails to maneuver and make progress against prevailing winds.
Portuguese discoveries : The Portuguese-led maritime exploration and expansion that connected Europe with Atlantic islands, Africa, and Asia. Caravels became a characteristic vessel of Portuguese voyages along the African coast.
Caravel of the Discoveries : A modern replica of a 15th-century Portuguese caravel displayed in Lisbon's Monument to the Discoveries. The replica makes the ship's form tangible and represents its association with Portuguese exploration.
Carrack : A large, high-sided sailing ship used in European oceanic trade and exploration from the 15th century. Carracks carried more cargo than caravels but were less suited to shallow, maneuverable coastal work.
Square rig : A sail arrangement in which sails hang across the vessel, providing strong propulsion with following winds. Some caravels used square sails to gain speed when winds favored a direct course.
Henry the Navigator : A Portuguese prince who sponsored maritime exploration and navigation in the early 15th century. His patronage helped sustain the voyages for which caravels were developed and used.
Voyage of Bartolomeu Dias : The 1487–1488 Portuguese expedition that rounded the Cape of Good Hope and reached the Indian Ocean. Caravels formed part of the fleet that demonstrated a sea route around southern Africa.
Nao : A Portuguese ocean-going sailing ship, typically larger and more heavily built than a caravel. The nao better suited heavy cargo and long-distance trade, complementing the caravel's agility.
Carvel-built ship : A vessel whose hull planks meet edge to edge on a frame, forming a relatively smooth outer surface. The caravel's construction supported a relatively light, capable hull suited to ocean voyages.
Sagres School : A traditional name for a supposed Portuguese center of nautical learning associated with Henry the Navigator; its existence as a formal school is disputed. The caravel is often linked to the maritime knowledge and shipbuilding innovations associated with this tradition.
Show all 20