I can't wait to read some great history of sailing questions and Han, our resident sailing history expert will be pleased to answer any and all questions posed to him.
So don't delay! Ask today!
Click on the links below to find other interesting topics on the history of sailing by other sailors who visited this page.
Stuck in a Cogmire...
Hello There! I have a question about ships in the mid 1100's. I did read the Cog page....but I'm still lost. I'm particularly interested on ships that …
Reliance 3 masted sailboat
I have a wooden model of Reliance with 3 masts. All the pictures I've found are not of my boat. How do I find out the history of it. It has 21 sails …
the button boy
I understand there was something called the BUTTON - at the top of a mast ? One sailor would be chosen as the 'button boy' which was regarded as an honour. …
pirate ship wanted
I am in the market for a late 1600's to early 1700's model sail boat but have no idea where to even start. I stumbled upon this forum and thought maybe …
Fiberon sailboat
I have inherited a small "Sunfish" type sailboat, but its longer without a flat transom, the hull sweeps back to a point at the rudder. I found the hull …
Ship crew replenishment at sea?
I have read that life was very hard for sailors, and that many died before reaching their destinations. It would seem that there would be a minimal number …
Buy or Charter
Do you know what was more common in the mid 1300s: buy a cog or charter one? Is there any information on what a cog would cost? If you chartered a ship …
sail name
Does anyone know the name of the sail that goes between the masts on a schooner? I thought I heard it referred to as a gollytop.
Sailing ships used in the Crusades
I write historical fiction.
Could any of the ships used in the early Crusades (c.1100) have had room below deck for passenger cabins? I keep wandering …
Making sailboats
When did they start making steel sailboats and what are they made of today???
history of sailboat materials
What kinds of materials were originally used (historical times) to make sailboats....hull, keel, rudder, masts, and sails?
History of reaching
I was wondering about the history of reaching.
I guess the first sailor on earth just put up a sheet of cloth and felt the wind blow into it. He made …
Evolution
How did the sailboat evolve? and what are some main points of this evolution?
Identifying an 1834 sailing ship
I have a piece of stoneware with the name "John B. Wilson" and dated 1834 with a sailing ship incised on it.
Is there a way I could send a photo to …
French Cog Ship In 1310
Yes - - another writer with a question :-D
Hello.
Would the French cog in 1310 have had any laddered rigging, and where?
(I've seen pictures …
16th century ship supplies.
My son is researching Giovanni da Verrazzano and we were curious as to what supplies may have been on the Spanish Carrack "La Dauphine". Any links or information …
Portuguese sailing ships
I'm looking for a picture of old Portuguese sailing ship/s.
I'm planning a quilt for my daughter and son-in-law who is from Hawaii and of Portuguese …
Position of the Wind
I'm writing a novel and it includes sailing (which I have no idea about). It's set in kind of seventeenth century England and I was wondering how sailors …
12th century sailing ships
Han, I need to understand detail for the construction of The White Ship, sank off the coast of France in 1120, killing William, Duke of Normandy and only …
How and Where did sailing start
I was just wondering where and around when did sailing start. Also how and why? If the question is too broad I understand. Also if there is any literature …
Sail Amsterdam 2010
For everybody with a passion for history of sailing: today a new edition of Sail Amsterdam opened, an event for every 5 years, since 1975. Keep an open …
The story of the Garthpool
I am researching the story of the Garthpool, an old four masted square rigged barque that struck the reefs off the west coast of Africa, off the Cape Verde …
Alcatraz Historic Guide Needs Help
I'm looking for information concerning the day-to-day life of a sailing vessel in 1873 so I can better understand a strange story about a mummified head …
First Sailboat Races
When were the first sailboat races?
Can a sailboat, any type or size, sail around the world and be okay in bad weather?
Cierra
Dick Rodger, will he never quit?
Hello Han
Again, I thank you for your interest and help. I can assure you, however much or little you know about this shipping era it is more than I …
Shipping Under Mark
This might not be the right place to ask this question, but I wonder if anyone can tell me what was meant by "shipping under mark". I am reading about …
Tall Ships from Painting Info
I was watching an old television show online and it had these beautiful paintings of old sailing ships decorating the set.
I was wondering if you could …
How to find out the boat history?
Do you know of a way in which I can locate historical information - designer/builder/race record, et al - for a particular wooden sailboat? I do know the …
Dutch Barge
My old friend is building a Dutch vessel in the traditional manner. Do you know anything about this particular type and do you have any experience of it. …
Docking the tall ships
This is a question about the old sailing ships like the square riggers. With such a large sailing ship such as a clipper like Flying Cloud, how did they …
Tiller extension or joystick?
In "parts of a sailing ship" you explain the function of the tiller extension. In Dutch this stick is called 'kolderstok', which in English literally …
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