Editing Caravel (section)

== Design ==
The earliest caravels in the thirteenth century were small and are believed to have been un-decked, carrying one mast with lateen sails, while later types were larger and had two or three masts and decks. Caravels such as the ''caravela tilhlda'' of the 15th century had an average length of between {{convert|12|and|18|m|ft|abbr=on}}, an average capacity of 50 to 60&nbsp;tons,<ref>{{cite book|last=Russell|first=Peter E.|title=Prince Henry 'the Navigator': A Life|year=2000|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0-300-09130-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/princehenrythena00russ_0/page/229 229]|url=https://archive.org/details/princehenrythena00russ_0 |url-access=registration}}</ref> a high length-to-beam ratio of around 3.5 to 1, and narrow ellipsoidal frame{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} (unlike the circular frame of the ''nau''), making them very fast and maneuverable{{citation needed|date=October 2024|reason=manoeuvrability is not an expected consequence of greater length, nor of a hull shape with greater lateral resistance}} but with a limited cargo capacity. It was in such ships that Christopher Columbus set out on his expedition in 1492, while the ''[[Santa María (ship)|Santa María]]'' was a small carrack of about 150 tons and served as the flagship, the ''[[Pinta (ship)|Pinta]]'' and {{ship||Niña|ship|2}} were caravels of around 15–20&nbsp;m with a beam of 6&nbsp;m and a displacement of around 60–75 tons. The ''Niña'' was re-rigged by Columbus with square rig to give better performance on the Atlantic crossing{{snd}}most of which was following favourable winds, for which lateen was less suitable.{{r|Elbl 1994|p=96}}

===Square-rigged caravel===
[[File:Caravela de armada of Joao Serrao.jpg|thumb|right|A typical [[square-rigged caravel]] (''Livro das Armadas'')]]

Towards the end of the 15th century, the Portuguese developed a larger version of the caravel, bearing a [[forecastle]] and [[sterncastle]] – though not as high as those of a carrack, which would have made it unweatherly – but most distinguishable for its square-rigged [[foremast]], and three other masts bearing lateen rig. In this form it was referred to in Portuguese as a "round caravel" ({{lang|pt|caravela redonda}}) as in Iberian tradition, a bulging square sail is said to be round.

It was employed in coast-guard fleets near the Strait of Gibraltar and as an armed escort for merchant ships between Portugal and Brazil and in the [[Cape Route]]. Some consider this a forerunner of the fighting [[galleon]] and it remained in use until the 17th century.
[[File:Lisbon - Lisbonne - Lisboa 1572.png|thumb|center|600px|{{center|Lisbon, 1572. Galleon (center) surrounded by carracks, galleys, round caravels, and caravels (''lateen'')}}]]