carabelas

Carabelas were light sailing ships developed by the Portuguese in the 15th century for exploration and coastal trade. They were smaller and faster than the larger carracks of the time, with a shallow draft that allowed navigation near shorelines and upriver. Typical caravels had two or three masts and were often rigged with lateen sails, a configuration that improved maneuverability and the ability to sail against the wind; some ships also carried additional square sails on the foremast or other masts.

Their combination of speed, maneuverability, and relative cargo capacity made caravels particularly suited to long Atlantic voyages and coastal exploration. They played a decisive role in the early stages of the Age of Discovery, enabling Portuguese explorers to chart the western coast of Africa, establish sea routes to Asia, and test new navigation techniques and instruments.

Notable voyages include those sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, which helped Dias round the Cape of Good Hope and later enabled da Gama to reach India. In the Atlantic, caravels were used on Christopher Columbus's first voyage in 1492, with the Niña and the Pinta accompanying the larger carrack Santa Maria.

Over time, caravels were increasingly supplemented or supplanted by larger, more versatile ships, such as carracks and later galleons. Nevertheless, the caravel remains a symbol of early European exploration and a foundational design in the history of maritime navigation.