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Atlantic caravel

Type Object Region Europe Time c. 1430–1600

The caravel was the Iberian Peninsula's most representative ocean-going exploration vessel of the 15th–16th centuries, its lateen sails, shallow draf…

Timeline

  1. c. 1430–1499Sagres · AlgarveIn the 15th century Portuguese shipwrights combined Arab lateen sail technology with European hulls to build caravans that could sail against the wind with a shallow draft, making gradual exploration along the west coast of Africa possible.
  2. 1501–1510Brazilian coast · BrazilBetween 1501 and 1510 caravels took part in Cabral's fleet's exploration of Brazil and subsequent colonial resupply, while on the India route serving as scouting and coastal liaison vessels for the larger carracks, exploiting their high maneuverability for tactical and transport advantages.

Sources