caravel

A caravel was a ship used by the Portuguese. It had a long slender hull and was a highly maneuverable ship. It was able to sail against the wind (taking) due to its combination of triangular and square sails. The caravel was one of the earlier ocean going ships of Europe. These ships were crucial to Portuguese expansion around Africa and into Asia. Both Christopher Columbus and Vasco De Gamma used caravels in their historical voyages.

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Created by Benjamin Ellison December 7 Edited by Allie Pinosky 12.07.08 Edited by Anna Mack 12/8/08 Edited by: Dirk Gadsden (May 18, 2009)