Changes

A forerunner carried [[crusade]]rs to the [[Holy Land]] in the 13th century, and under various names (''nef'', ''nave'', ''nau'', ''nao'', all of which are variants of the [[Latin]] ''navis'': ship), and through various developments, became the generic sail-powered large (for its time) trading vessel suitable for work in both the [[Mediterranean]] and [[Atlantic]]. There is a 13th century city seal (Winchester) showing a ''nef'' whilst a [[Catalan]] model of a ''nao'' exists that tells us much about the vessel in that place at that time. It is thought that by the 15th century it was almost indistinguishable from the [[carrack]].  

A forerunner carried [[crusade]]rs to the [[Holy Land]] in the 13th century, and under various names (''nef'', ''nave'', ''nau'', ''nao'', all of which are variants of the [[Latin]] ''navis'': ship), and through various developments, became the generic sail-powered large (for its time) trading vessel suitable for work in both the [[Mediterranean]] and [[Atlantic]]. There is a 13th century city seal (Winchester) showing a ''nef'' whilst a [[Catalan]] model of a ''nao'' exists that tells us much about the vessel in that place at that time. It is thought that by the 15th century it was almost indistinguishable from the [[carrack]].  

[[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]].

[[Category: Sailing ship types]]

[[Category: Sailing ship types]]