Polacre

The polacre was a Mediterranean sailing vessel with a distinctive mixed rig, using square sails on some masts and lateen sails on others, often applied to xebec hulls used by Barbary corsairs. This hybrid rig offered speed advantages across a range of wind conditions.

Quick Facts

Ship ClassMerchant/Raider
Era Used18th century
Typical Crew50-150
Guns / Cannonsvariable
Speed / HandlingFast, mixed square and lateen rig
Notable UsePolacre-rigged xebecs used by Barbary corsairs

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