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A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by the nations of Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with cannon.
Galleons were a natural evolution of the caravel and carrack or nao. A lowering of the forecastle and elongation of the hull gave an unprecedented level of stability in the water, leading to a faster, more maneuverable vessel. The galleon differs from the older types primarily by being longer, lower and narrower, with a square tuck stern instead of a round tuck, and by having a snout or head projecting forward from the bows below the level of the forecastle.
The galleon was powered entirely by sail, carried on three to five masts. They were used in both military and trade applications, perhaps most famously in the Spanish treasure fleet, and particularly the fabled Manila Galleon. In fact, galleons were so versatile that a single vessel may have been refitted for wartime and peacetime roles several times during its lifespan.
Galleons were constructed from oak (for the keelA keel is a large beam around which the hull of a ship is built. The keel runs in the middle of the ship, from the bow to the stern. The word keel is also sometimes used to refer to a rigid, flat piece of material anchored to the lowest part of the hull a), pineThis article deals with the tree; for the e-mail client see Pine email client About 115. Pines are coniferous trees of the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authors accept anything from 105 to 125 (for the masts) and various hardwoodBeech is a typical temperate zone hardwood The term hardwood designates wood from angiosperm trees. Hardwood contrasts with softwood, which comes from gymnosperm ( coniferous) trees. They are in general of higher density and hardness, but there is consides for hullA hull is the body or frame of a ship or boat. It is a central concept in water vessels. The hull is essentially what keeps the water from entering the boat and acts as the walls and floor of the vessel. In hulls constructed from materials that are denser and decking. Hulls were usually carvel-built . The expenses involved in galleon construction were enormous. Hundreds of expert tradesmen (including carpenterA carpenter is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry a wide range of woodworking that includes constructing buildings, furniture, and other large objects out of wood. Since most of carpentry's required knowledge is gained through experience, the profs, pitch-melter s, blacksmithA blacksmith is an artisan specializing in the hand-wrought manufacture of metal objects, such as wrought iron gates, grills and railings, light fixtures and furniture, sculpture, weapons, decorative and religous items, cooking utensils and tools. Blacksms, cooperTraditionally, a cooper is someone who makes wooden barrels, kasks, buckets and other similar wooden objects. The word is derived from cupa the Latin word for vat. Barrel making is referred to as cooperage . Sometimes—in more modern times—the profession os, shipwrights, etc.) worked day and night for months before a galleon was seaworthy. Due to this, galleons were often funded by groups of wealthy businessmen who pooled resources for a new ship. Therefore, most galleons were originally consigned for trade, although capture by rival nations usually put the galleon into military service.
The most common gun used aboard a galleon was the demi-culverin , although gun sizes up to demi-cannon were possible.
Due to extensive time often spent at sea and poor conditions on board, advanced rigging systems were developed so that the vessel could be sailed home by an active crew a fraction of the size aboard at departure.
The galleon continued to be used until the early 19th century, when the clipper and man of war rendered it obsolete for both trade and warfare.
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