Lateen Sail Collection

Carrack, a merchant ship of the late 1400s
Armed Genoese carrack, a merchant ship of the 1400s and 1500s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

A Caravel
3330654 A Caravel; (add.info.: Engraving print of a Caravel, a small, highly manoeuvrable sailing ship developed in the 15th Century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast)

A Caravel
3330649 A Caravel; (add.info.: Woodblock print of a Caravel, a small, highly manoeuvrable sailing ship developed in the 15th Century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast)

A Caravel, 15th century (print)
3330728 A Caravel, 15th century (print); (add.info.: Woodblock print of a Caravel, a small, highly manoeuvrable sailing ship developed in the 15th Century by the Portuguese to explore along the West)

Aa felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850
3331126 Aa felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a felucca, a small boat propelled by oars or lateen sails or both)

A felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850
3331123 A felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a felucca, a small boat propelled by oars or lateen sails or both)

A felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850
3330541 A felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a felucca, a small boat propelled by oars or lateen sails or both)

Round the World Yachting in the "Ceylon", XI, Bombay (engraving)
1060639 Round the World Yachting in the " Ceylon", XI, Bombay (engraving) by Fripp, Charles Edwin (1854-1906); Private Collection; (add.info)

Nile River papyrus thickets
Papyrus growing along the Nile, original paper of the ancient Egyptians. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Spanish caravel tacking before the wind, from a drawing attributed to Columbus. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

Portuguese caravels
Caravels, from " Libre de cololat tractat dels fet maritims, " Portugal, 1502. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00089
Caravel " Santa Maria, " the flagship of Columbus first voyage and which sank off Hispaniola in 1492. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

GAFR2A-00021
Egyptians drawing Nile water with a shadoof, a counterbalanced device used since ancient times. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

GAFR2A-00031
Market scene on the banks of the Nile River, Egypt, circa 1900. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of an illustration

GAFR2A-00008
Mombasa, Kenya, a former Portuguese colony, viewed in the 1800s when under protection of Zanzibar. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

SPANISH SHIPS, 1545. Vessels of the early Spanish navigators. Woodcut from Medinas Arte de navegar, Valladolid, 1545

CARAVEL: LATEEN-SAIL, 1493. A Spanish caravel similar to the Santa Maria. Woodcut from the illustrated edition of the Christopher Columbus letter to Gabriel Sanchez, 1493

0017421
CARAVEL: LATEEN-SAIL, 1486. The stern of a caravel, showing the triangular lateen-sail. German woodcut, 1486

0014245
SPANISH SHIPS, 1545. Vessels of the early Spanish navigators. Woodcut from Medinas Arte de navegar, Valladolid, 1545

0006869
CARAVEL: LATEEN-SAIL, 1493. A Spanish caravel similar to the Santa Maria. Woodcut from the illustrated edition of the Christopher Columbus letter to Gabriel Sanchez, 1493

NEW YORK: POUGHKEEPSIE. A view of Poughkeepsie, New York, and the Catskill Mountains on the Hudson River, from the shore of Sopos Island

CARAVEL, 16th CENTURY. A French caravel. Line engraving after a 16th-century French manuscript illumination

PLEADING FORGIVENESS, 1885. Wood engraving, English, 1885

EGYPT: FELUCCAS ON THE NILE. Photographed c1974

GEUR2A-00066
Port of Cadiz, Spain, seen from the Atlantic Ocean. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration by Gustave Dore

GEUR2A-00090
Sailboats on the lagoon of Venice. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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The lateen sail, a key innovation in maritime history, revolutionized the way ships sailed across the seas. Originating on the Carrack, a merchant ship of the late 1400s, this triangular sail allowed for greater maneuverability and efficiency. Imagine yourself on board a Round the World Yachting adventure in the "Ceylon", XI, Bombay. As you gaze at an engraving depicting this remarkable journey, you can't help but notice how prominently the they are featured. The sailors skillfully navigate through vast Nile River papyrus thickets with ease thanks to these unique sails. The Portuguese caravels were among the first vessels to adopt this innovative design. Their sleek frames and towering masts adorned with lateen sails made them formidable forces on both trade routes and exploratory expeditions. Looking at historical images such as EXPL2A-00089 or GAFR2A-00021, we catch glimpses of Spanish ships from 1545 proudly displaying their majestic lateen sails. These vessels were instrumental in paving new paths across uncharted waters during that era of exploration. One particular image that stands out is CARAVEL: LATEEN-SAIL, 1493 - it showcases a Spanish caravel similar to Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria. This iconic ship played a significant role in his historic voyage to discover America. As we delve into these captivating visuals like 0017421 or 0014245, we gain insight into how crucial these sails were for navigating treacherous waters and exploring distant lands. They enabled sailors to harness wind power efficiently while maintaining control over their vessel's direction. The legacy of the lateen sail lives on today as modern sailing enthusiasts continue to appreciate its advantages even amidst advanced technology. Its timeless design remains an enduring symbol of human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of discovery beyond horizons unknown.