Race-built galleon facts for kids
The race-built galleon was a special type of warship built in England a long time ago, between 1570 and 1590. These ships were designed to be faster and more agile than older ships. They played a big part in protecting England during important sea battles.
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Race-Built Galleons: England's Speedy Warships
Who Built These Amazing Ships?
These new ships were created in England for the Queen. A very important person named Sir John Hawkins worked with skilled shipbuilders. These builders included Richard Chapman, Peter Pett, and Mathew Baker. They started building these ships around 1570.
What Made Them So Special?
Race-built galleons looked different from older ships. Their name "race-built" came from how they were "raced" or "razed." This means their high front and back parts (called "castles") were made lower. This design, along with their longer shape compared to their width, made them look very sleek and fast.
The shipbuilders even had a fun way to describe them. They said these ships had "the head of a cod and the tail of a mackerel." This meant they were strong at the front and slim at the back. These ships were built from scratch with this new design. They were not just old ships that were changed later.
How Were They Developed?
In 1570, John Hawkins began working with Richard Chapman. Their goal was to build or rebuild warships for the Queen's Navy Board. This work happened at a place called Deptford Dockyard.
The very first ship of this new style was the Foresight. It was built in 1570 and weighed 295 tons. This ship was a great success!
After the Foresight, more ships followed.
- In 1573, the 360-ton Dreadnought was built by Matthew Baker.
- Also in 1573, the 350-ton Swiftsure was built by Peter Pett.
Famous Race-Built Galleons
One of the most famous race-built galleons was the Revenge. It was built in 1577 and weighed 464 tons. A smaller ship, the Scout, was also built that year.
John Hawkins became the Treasurer of the Navy in 1578. After that, even more ships like these were built over the next ten years. An example is the Dainty, built in 1588.
Race-Built Galleons in Action
All these race-built galleons were very important. They served England bravely during a huge fight against the Spanish Armada. The Spanish Armada was a very large fleet of ships sent by Spain to invade England. The speed and agility of the race-built galleons helped England win this important battle.
