Editing Caravel (section)

===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'')}}]]