Title | Pinnesses |
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 | Scan of 1964 UNC Edition of 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. |
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