Squaresails

Squaresails are a type of sail that is generally square or rectangular in shape. Historically, they were the primary sail type used on ancient sailing vessels, particularly those of the Mediterranean and the Far East. These sails were typically made from woven cloth, such as linen or cotton, and were attached to a square yard, which was then hoisted along the mast. The yard was usually controlled by a series of ropes, allowing the sail to be trimmed and angled to catch the wind.

The effectiveness of squaresails is dependent on the wind blowing from astern or on the quarter. They are less efficient when sailing directly into the wind. This limitation led to the development of other sail types, such as triangular or fore-and-aft sails, which offer better performance when sailing upwind. However, squaresails are very efficient for downwind sailing, providing substantial drive and allowing ships to cover long distances with favorable winds.

Many traditional sailing ships, including galleys, cogs, and carracks, featured squaresails. They were often used in conjunction with other sail types to provide a balanced rig. The simplicity of their design and construction made them practical for widespread use throughout history. While largely superseded by more advanced sail designs for modern sailing, squaresails remain a recognizable symbol of historical maritime technology and are still seen on some traditional vessels and in model shipbuilding.