Barquentine

A barquentine is a type of sailing ship with three or more masts. Its main mast and taller foremast carry square sails, which are traditional rectangular sails suited for catching the wind from the front. The aft-most mast (the mizzen) is rigged with fore-and-aft sails, which run along the ship’s length. This combination allows for versatile sailing, combining the ease of handling square sails with the maneuverability of fore-and-aft sails. Historically, barquentines were used for cargo, exploration, and training due to their efficiency and manageable size, representing a blend of traditional sailing design and practicality.