Sloop facts for kids
A sloop is a type of sailboat. It usually has one mast and sails that run from the front to the back of the boat (called fore-and-aft rigged sails). Sometimes, the word "sloop" can also mean a special kind of warship. These warships had two or more masts and square sails. The French called these ships "corvettes."
Long ago, the meaning of "sloop" was not very clear. A book from 1750 said sloops could have one, two, or even three masts. Today, most sloops used for fun are one-masted boats with fore-and-aft sails. Their simple design makes them easy for new sailors to use. Sloops are good-sized boats, usually up to about 14 meters (45 feet) long.
The History of Sloops
The design for sloops first appeared in the early 1600s. By the 1900s, they became very popular. Their main benefits are that they are easy to handle. They can also sail well into the wind.
Early Bermuda Sloops
An early type of sloop was the Bermuda sloop. It was named after the trade routes with North America from Bermuda. These boats were built to be fast. They could sail well in different directions. Being fast helped them escape French privateers. The main body of the boat, called the hull, was made from Bermuda cedar wood. This wood was light and did not rot easily. Bermuda sloops could have one to three masts.
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Most modern sailboats are based on the Bermuda sloop design. The "Bermuda rig" replaced an older design called the "gaff rig." A gaff rig used a four-cornered sail instead of a triangular one. It also used an extra pole, called a spar. The gaff rig allowed for more sail area on a mast. It also helped sailors quickly reduce sail in strong winds.
Sloops in War
By the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the "sloop of war" was a very common ship in the Royal Navy. Not much has been written about these ships or their French versions, the Corvettes. Later, the United States also used sloops of war. The Royal Navy continued to use "sloops" until the end of World War II.
Sailing sloops, like their larger cousins the frigates, were fast ships. They were used for many different jobs. They were not usually used in big battles. Instead, they often helped with reconnaissance (scouting) and carrying messages. They were known for being very easy to steer. They could sail well in almost all sea conditions.
Related Boats
- Frigate
- Schooner
- Brig
- Brigantine
- Cutter (boat)
- J-class yacht
- Lugger
- Keelboat
- Yacht
- Skerry cruiser
- Smack (ship)
- Yawl
- Thames sailing barge
- Pocket cruiser
See also
In Spanish: Sloop para niños
