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- Types of warships - War of 1812
Types of warships - War of 1812
Schooner
They usually have two masts. The foremast is shorter than the mainmast, or equal in height. Sailships of this type have lug sails set in the angles of the ship. This very elegant ship was designed for transport (no guns) but was used as a privateer during the War of 1812. Schooners such as the Lynx was commanded by non-military sailors. They could wage war, however, as the King would grant them permission to do so by providing them with an official letter!
Two masts
Fore and aft sails
Rigging perpendicular to the ship
Ship of the line
Very large ship bearing between 60 and 100 guns on 3 decks. They had three masts and a bowsprit. The bow (the front) of the ship was lower than the stern (the back). Regarding its rigging, ships of the line had three rows of square sails. These were sails set perpendicular to the keel (which is to say, to the ship). Ships of the line had secondary rigging (jibs) set on the axis of the keel (parallel to the ship), of triangular, trapezoid or square shape.
3 masts
Square sails to the 3 masts
Sails on 4 rows
Sloop of War
Sloops of war were identical to frigates, but smaller. They had only one deck and 10–18 guns. They had 3 masts, square-rigged on three rows.
Three masts
Square sails to the three masts
Brigantine
Small two-masters rigged with square sails on the foremast and lug sails (four-sided asymetrical sails) on the aftermast. Brigantine had but one deck.
Two masts
Square and aft sails
Brig
Small two-masters rigged with square sails to both masts. The mizzenmast also sported a lug sail.
Two masts
Square sails to both masts
Frigate
Frigates could be as long as ships of the line, but were very lightly armed (some 28 guns). They had 3 masts, rigged with 3 or 4 rows of square sails.
3 masts
Square sails to all 3 masts
Ship drawings: Ilana Pichon
- Date Modified:
- 2012-09-19
