A so-called hermaphrodite brig
has two masts, with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft
rigged mainsail.
"Old Ironsides", the USS
Constitution, is a frigate, or warship. Construction began in
1794, and she served in the war of 1812- 1814, as well as in the battle
against the Barbary pirates. Her sides consistently repelled enemy
shells, hence the nickname, "Old Ironsides". Today she is berthed
at the former Boston Navy Yard, also called the Charlestown Navy Yard,
near the WWII destroyer, USS Cassin Young.
She is square-, or ship-rigged,
meaning that she has three masts with the sails across the width, or
beam of the vessel. The wind filling these enormous sails drove
such a ship at a fine speed, up to 17 knots, when sailing with the wind.
However, sailing against the wind or tacking was nearly impossible, and
this made for poor maneuverability.
During the Middle Ages, the lateen
sail, the earliest form of fore-and-aft rigging, was introduced into
Europe from the Mediterranean and, perhaps, orginally from the Orient.
Mariners quickly added one or more such sails to the rigging of their
ships, resulting in the ability to sail either before or into the wind.
Here are some examples:
A barkentine also has three
masts, with the foremast square-rigged and the other two
fore-and-aft rigged.
A "topsail schooner" has two
or more fore-and-aft rigged masts, with two or more square foremast
topsails. A fore-and-aft schooner can have up to nine masts,
all fore-and-aft rigged. These are among the most beautiful of
all ships.
A ship with two masts and a
spanker sail aft of the mizzenmast is a brig.
