Sails

Types:

Divided into two major groups: the square sails (a) and lateen (also called fore and aft) sails (b).

(a) Square sails were the common type of sail for Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Norse ships. They were bordered by a rope with an eyelet in each corner, called a cringle. The top of the sail often had a rod pulled through it while the bottom was held by the corner to pull it taught, since a sail is more effective when taught and not billowing. Square sails had a crest-like bottom called a roach⁽¹⁾. The square sail was good for sailing if the wind was blowing behind or to the side of the sail, but not good for sailing into the wind⁽²⁾.

(b) Lateen sails were used first on Arab ships and then Mediterranean vessels. They started in a right triangle shape with the top corner attached to the mast but soon the lower point of the sail was cut off the the sail attached to the mast at the bottom as well, with a pole along the bottom edge to keep it straight. Lateen sails were much faster than square sails but not as good at long travel in rough weather⁽¹⁾. Lateen sails were good for sailing into the wind, but not if there was a back wind⁽²⁾.

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Changes Over Time:

• As ships became larger and larger, instead of using larger and more bulky sails, they started using a few on each mast. The lower square sails started larger and their leeches (the sides of the sail) were almost vertical. As more sails wer added above each became a bit smaller and their leeches were more and more sloped⁽¹⁾.
• In the early 15^th century ships began to mix both types of sails, having the center mast carry square sails and the fore and aft with lateen sails⁽¹⁾.

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Materials⁽²⁾:

• Sails were made out of hemp or sometimes flax. The material was not made locally in England but imported usually from the Hanseatic ports or Brittany and southwest France. The material was then sewn together locally.
• Sometimes wool was used to make sails since it was the major cloth of England, but it was much less useful a material, and was only used to patch old sails after the 1370s.
• Sails were made by cutting canvas into 1 1/2 inch strips and sewing them together vertically to create the shape of the sail. Ropes were then added onto each side to stop fraying and have places to attach the rigging.
• In the 1350s bonnets (small extra strips) were added to the bottom of the sails that could be removed or added to change the size of the sail. Ropes were als used to shorten sails when wished.
• Sail material cost less in the 15^th century, which may have helped propel the idea of a multi-masted, multi-sail per mast ship, since one could make smaller, cheaper sails that also would not tear as easily. In 1401 a bolt of sailcloth cost 24 shillings. In 1490 one cost 10 to 13 shillings.

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Sources:

• ⁽¹⁾The Sailing Ship. (MIT)
• ⁽²⁾ Friel, Ian. The Good Ship. John Hopkins University Press, Maryland: 1995. VM17.F75