Spanker
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Markman (talk | contribs) at 19:02, March 6, 2013. It may differ significantly from current revision.
| ! | This article has an inadequate number of citations. You are encouraged to add sources for verifiability, but please abide by The Conservapedia Commandments & Style Guide. |
The spanker is the large gaff-rigged sail that appeared on the mizzen (rear or aft mast) of nearly all square-rigged European sailing ships during the 18th century and lasted until the end of the age of sail. It was developed to aid sailing before a following wind. It replaced the lateen sail that had previously occupied the aft mast - its advantage being that it did not interfere with the setting of square rig sails on the same mast.