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pinnesses


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.
Occurrences

pinnesses

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