[[Columbus]] referred to the ''Santa Maria'' as a ''nao'', although it may have been a larger [[caravel]] than its two mates. Whatever, a century later both the ''nao'' and the ''caravel'' had all but disappeared, having being found unsuitable for the rigours of the trans-Atlantic trade. Its place was taken by the [[galleon]]. | [[Columbus]] referred to the ''Santa Maria'' as a ''nao'', although it may have been a larger [[caravel]] than its two mates. Whatever, a century later both the ''nao'' and the ''caravel'' had all but disappeared, having being found unsuitable for the rigours of the trans-Atlantic trade. Its place was taken by the [[galleon]]. |