Crewing a ship in the Age of Sail

Rocket Man · 02-14-2010, 05:59 PM

It really does make a difference what kind of ship you're talking about. For example, the caravels of the early days of the Age of Sail would have had a crew of 20-30 people. During Columbus's voyage, the Nina (90 tons) sailed with a crew of 24 and the Pinta (70 tons) with a crew of 28. By contrast, the tiny 16th-century frigate Squirrel (8 tons) completed a three-month voyage across the Atlantic and back again with a crew of only 10.

The size and type of the ship, the type of mission it's undertaking, how long it's expected to be at sea ... all these and more will make a difference.

02-14-2010, 05:59 PM	#6
Rocket Man Petitioner: Word of IN Filk Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Longmont, CO	Re: Crewing a ship in the Age of Sail It really does make a difference what kind of ship you're talking about. For example, the caravels of the early days of the Age of Sail would have had a crew of 20-30 people. During Columbus's voyage, the Nina (90 tons) sailed with a crew of 24 and the Pinta (70 tons) with a crew of 28. By contrast, the tiny 16th-century frigate Squirrel (8 tons) completed a three-month voyage across the Atlantic and back again with a crew of only 10. The size and type of the ship, the type of mission it's undertaking, how long it's expected to be at sea ... all these and more will make a difference. __________________ “It's not railroading if you offer the PCs tickets and they stampede to the box office, waving their money. Metaphorically speaking” --Elizabeth McCoy, In Nomine Line Editor Author: "What Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me Stronger"