Age of Sail - Ships from the 15th Cent. onwards

**Lucidus** · 02-15-2009, 23:16

Actually that made the portuguese to adapt to many of those local types of ships to deal with the tactics used by the locals that often used the abundant estuaries

Indo-Portuguese ship, 16th century.

So probably Nau is just one of them

Yes, it is.
1 -The Nau was introduced in the 1480´s, constructed with two decks-the first from stem to stern, covering the hold of the ship where the cargo was contained; the second, at stem, constituted the flooring of the forecastle. Weighing about 100-200 tons, it had three masts.: square-rigged, and with top-sails on the fore- and mainmasts,and lateen-rigged (triangular sails) on the mizzen( 3rd or aft) mast to assist the movement of the ship to windward.

2 - The Great Naus weighing 350 to 600 tons and well armed, were the mainstay of the cargo fleets. Madre de Deus weighed 1600 tons.

(The galleons, lighter and more agile, and well armed, was capable of dual military and commercial uses)

During the whole of the 15th century the Portuguese were piooners (previous link) in the technology of prefabrication of ships in Ribeira das Naus, in Lisbon, that could assembled elsewhere overseas in only 12 days.
The concept of "preventive maintenaince" was also introduced at this time, which led to the dismantling of a nau after 3 to 4 journeys for substitution of deteriorated components (15h century)
The same kit technique (prefabrication in Portugal)) would be used in the construction of fortresses (involving fortification,storehouses, and chapel), which method was applied for instance in São Jorge da Mina and Isle of Mozambique fortress.

**Fisherking** · 02-18-2009, 12:52

This is a wonderful thread. Thanks guys for all of the work.

For those wishing to learn a bit more about ships, masts, sails, & rigging I have a link that will be somewhat informative. That way in the naval battles you will know what has been shot away if it doesn’t help you in any other way.

http://sailing-ships.oktett.net/square-rigging.html

**Marten** · 02-18-2009, 13:30

Any speculations about the smallest ships in ETW? I've seen the Sloop on .com, maybe this isn't the smallest one? I was planning to bother my competitors in the baltic sea with half a dozen cutters (or sloops). And a squadron of 3-4 frigates for serious engagement ...

I would like to see one of these:

Was always fun to bring down some spaniards with 2 or 3 cutters in PotbS.

**Obadiah** · 02-18-2009, 15:48

Bit o' trivia- the "square" sails are called that NOT because of their shape (they aren't really square, after all, base is longer than top), but because they're square (ie, 90 degrees) to the axis of movement.

Separately- I wonder if anyone else has ever sailed on a tall ship? I spent a month on Gazela, out of Philidelphia. If so, maybe we could start a new thread on that. But where would that thread belong? Prob not in the "Parliament"...

**Marten** · 02-18-2009, 15:57

Originally Posted by Obadiah

Bit o' trivia- the "square" sails are called that NOT because of their shape (they aren't really square, after all, base is longer than top), but because they're square (ie, 90 degrees) to the axis of movement.

Separately- I wonder if anyone else has ever sailed on a tall ship? I spent a month on Gazela, out of Philidelphia. If so, maybe we could start a new thread on that. But where would that thread belong? Prob not in the "Parliament"...

Gazela? This one?

or this one?

I'm interested in your story. Carry on Obadiah ...

**lobosrul** · 02-18-2009, 17:31

Here's some pics of the HMS Surprise, formerly The Rose built in 1970. She was orginally modeled after the HMS Rose (1757) but was refitted to closely resemble the HMS Surprise (1796) of Patrick O'brians Aubrey-Maturin series for filming the movie Master and Commander.

Shes the best (only?) example of a 6th Rate (small frigate) existing, in the world.

http://www.tallshiprose.org/

**Lusitani** · 02-18-2009, 18:10

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Here's some pics of the HMS Surprise, formerly The Rose built in 1970. She was orginally modeled after the HMS Rose (1757) but was refitted to closely resemble the HMS Surprise (1796) of Patrick O'brians Aubrey-Maturin series for filming the movie Master and Commander.

Shes the best (only?) example of a 6th Rate (small frigate) existing, in the world.

Ufff... half an hour later and i can almost see the masts... kidding :)

Great picture thanks for posting.

V.

**Stonemonkey** · 01-10-2013, 19:38

[QUOTE=lobosrul;2142562]Here's some pics of the HMS Surprise, formerly The Rose built in 1970. She was orginally modeled after the HMS Rose (1757) but was refitted to closely resemble the HMS Surprise (1796) of Patrick O'brians Aubrey-Maturin series for filming the movie Master and Commander.

Shes the best (only?) example of a 6th Rate (small frigate) existing, in the world.

Thanks, She is a lovely Frigate but she is not the best or indeed the only (I know you questioned this yourself) existing in the world. HMS Trincomalee is the oldest in it class still afloat anywhere in the world. She is moored in Hartlepool, UK and has her own dock yard mooring, period shops and stores, old fashioned inn and even a recreated Port Admirals house. As well as all this, all the workers are dressed in period costume, one word 'Fantastic!'. She was built in 1817 as HMS Foudroyant and was in Portsmouth for many years.
Hope this helps.
Dean

**lobosrul** · 02-18-2009, 17:34

Ok, that first pic was larger than expected... sure wish I could edit my previous post

**Sir Beane** · 02-18-2009, 17:36

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Ok, that first pic was larger than expected... sure wish I could edit my previous post

Keep posting regularly and a mod will notice you and promote you to member. Then you can edit your posts to your hearts content

.

**Sir Beane** · 02-18-2009, 17:32

Originally Posted by Obadiah

Bit o' trivia- the "square" sails are called that NOT because of their shape (they aren't really square, after all, base is longer than top), but because they're square (ie, 90 degrees) to the axis of movement.

Separately- I wonder if anyone else has ever sailed on a tall ship? I spent a month on Gazela, out of Philidelphia. If so, maybe we could start a new thread on that. But where would that thread belong? Prob not in the "Parliament"...

Sadly I never have sailed on a tall ship. But I would dearly love to. If ever I recieve a large windfall of money I am determined to commission a traditional sailing vessel and sail it around the caribbean.

It could be the Orgahs official boat, spreading the news of our glorious forum.