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Warships
Xebecs
The xebec is the most famous type of Mediterranean
ship. It was a 25-35 m (80-115 ft) long vessel, with an advanced ram stem and a deck
reaching far beyond the poop. The underbody was exceptionally sharp.
The pirates of North Africa regarded xebecs as the fastest sailing
vessels. Xebecs were armed with 16-24 cannons and took on a crew of 300-450.
They possessed 3 masts and sails for different forces of wind. For
instance, in a favourable but weak wind, course (rectangular) sails were hoisted
on the fore and mainmasts. In crosswind, when course sails
were ineffective, long Latin yards with fore and aft (trapezoid) sails were set.
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