Changes

The '''ketch''' was developed in [[England]] and [[North America]] during the 17th century as a small coastal trading vessel with a capacity of about 50 tons. Whilst the sails were essentially the same pattern as the [[brigantine]] – two masts, '''square-rigged''' on the fore and '''gaff-rigged''' with square-rigged topsails on the '''aft''' – there was a notable difference in that the fore-mast,  which was set further aft than on most two masted vessels of the day, was the taller of the two.  

The '''ketch''' was developed in [[England]] and [[North America]] during the 17th century as a small coastal trading vessel with a capacity of about 50 tons. Whilst the sails were essentially the same pattern as the [[brigantine]] – two masts, '''square-rigged''' on the fore and '''gaff-rigged''' with square-rigged topsails on the '''aft''' – there was a notable difference in that the fore-mast,  which was set further aft than on most two masted vessels of the day, was the taller of the two.  

After the development of exploding shells and revolving gun turrets made its war use obsolete it reverted to coastal trade and mail delivery and, during the course of the late nineteenth century, the rigging became all fore-and–aft.  

After the development of exploding shells and revolving gun turrets made its war use obsolete it reverted to coastal trade and mail delivery and, during the course of the late nineteenth century, the rigging became all fore-and–aft.  

Many ketch-rigged yachts of today use [[Bermudian]]-rig instead of gaff-rig on the '''mizzen'''  mast.

Many ketch-rigged yachts of today use [[Bermudian]]-rig instead of gaff-rig on the '''mizzen'''  mast.  

 

*Terms in '''Bold''' - see [[Sailing ship types: Glossary]]

*Terms in '''Bold''' - see [[Sailing ship types: Glossary]]

[[Category: Sailing ship types]]

[[Category: Sailing ship types]]