Jefferson wrote: > Ibrahim wrote: >>Jefferson wrote: >>> >>>I was also under the impression that carracks and caravels _were_ >>>two-masted ships. Certainly the portuguese exploration vessels were >>>two-masted vessels, whatever they were called. >> >>I guess the line is blurred here. The sources i looked at talked about >>3 masted carracks and caravels, and were the prelude to heavier galleons >>etc. > > Since it looks like Qaiyore is right on this dividing line I'll check my > references and get back to the group on this. OK. I've checked out a few things, and while I haven't found any definitive answers I have reached some conclusions. The caravel has either two or three masts, and earlier vessels are more likely to have two masts. Depending on your opinion of what constitutes "three-masted" technology caravels like Columbus's Nina (the Pinta may have been a two-masted vessel) may or may not qualify. Personally, I would say they don't. The ships aren't really designed to carry three masts, the third mast is more of an afterthought. This seem more like a "useful prototype" than a full technology. The carrack, on the other hand, is a proper three-masted vessel. The Santa Maria is a relatively primitive example, but was properly rigged for three-masted use. I'd put the dividing line for three-masted vessels at 1450 Europe. As this pertains to the MidSea I see the technology decision resting with the Ka'Shari. If the Ka'Shari have three-masted vessels then they're likely in the process of being adopted by the MidSea shipbuilders. However, the Ka'Shari wouldn't _have_ to of developed three-masted technology. I would say that two-masted vessels are standard on the MidSea, although experimental three-masted vessels exist, until someone uses an action to develop proper three-masted technology. -- Jefferson http://www.picotech.net/~jeff_wilson63/rpg/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
