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pinnaces


Title pinnesse
Origtitle Plate from John White Drawings
Variants Plate 2
Caption Detail of White drawing of temporary fort on the Island of S. John
Source 1964 John White Edition
Date 1585-86
Creator John White
Type Watercolor
Origin Scans of UNC 1964 Edition of the John White Drawings
Notes As with most ship classifications, a definitive description of the pinnace took centuries to evolve. It eventually referred to a small vessel of two masts, both square-rigged. The detail from within the fort on S. John illustrates the pinnace referred to in the Grenville text, constructed in May 1585.
Occurrences

pinnaces / pinnaces / pinnaces / pinnaces

Additional Notes

Referenced throughout the Hakluyt text, this is a type of ship used as a scout and courier. In addition to these roles, this model of seagoing vessel was also favored by pirates (and privateers such as Sir Francis Drake) for its speed. - Matt