Brigantine / Brig

The brigantine is a vessel with two square-rigged masts—the mainmast and the foremast—and a bowsprit. If a large gaff-rigged sail was hoisted in the mainmast, it was called a brigantine. If it was rigged with square sails, it was called a brig. This type of vessel was used for coastal surveillance, transport, the delivery of mail, to warn other ships and to carry out combat operations.
It was characterized by a good balance between its destructive power and its great speed, good maneuver agility and suitability for transport. It had room for a hundred men and could carry up to 24 pieces of artillery. It could also carry up to 150 tons and sail in many different conditions.
Since the 17th century, the brigantine was used for surveillance and the transport of messages and mail. It had two masts with square sails and a gaff-sail on the mainmast. It could be armed with up to 24 guns on deck. Because of its speed and destructive power, it was widely used by pirates and privateers, but also by navies to fight piracy.
Image: Rafael Monleón y Torres, National Library of Spain
In our database
Postillón (1814)
Brigantine / Brig which sunk in The Bahamas in 1814 due to a collision with shoals, cays and reefs. This ship captained by Ramón Pardo de Lama carried quicksilver.
El Cazador (1784)
Brigantine / Brig which departed Veracruz (MEX). She sunk in Louisiana in 1784. Captained by Gabriel Campos y Piñeda.
Infanta (1788)
Brigantine / Brig which sunk in Florida in 1788 due to a collision with shoals, cays and reefs. Captained by Casimiro de la Madrid.
San Antonio (1813)
Brigantine / Brig which sunk in North Carolina in 1813. Captained by Fabra.
Nuestra Señora de la Merced, aka Mercedes (1750)
Brigantine / Brig which departed Havana (CUB) bound for Spain. She sunk in Virginia in 1750 due to a hurricane. Captained by Antonio Barroso.
Unknown North Carolina 01 (1526)
Brigantine / Brig which sunk in North Carolina in 1526.
Unknown North Carolina 02 (1526)
Brigantine / Brig which departed Havana (CUB). She sunk in North Carolina in 1526.
Infanta (1788)
Brigantine / Brig which sunk in The Bahamas in 1788 due to a storm. Captained by Casimiro de la Madrid.