Brig
The brig was a class of warship operated by, among others, the British, Spanish and Portuguese navies throughout the Age of Sail.
During the early 18th century, the brig represented a compromise between the more powerful classes of ship, such as the frigate and Man O' War, and the faster, but less well-armed schooner and gunboat. A brig bore two masts, and was capable of fielding, on average, twenty-four guns over a single gun deck and the main deck; on top of this, they were fitted with a naval ram.
In battle, brigs typically alternated between delivering broadsides and ramming. They could move faster than most ships but could be easily checked by fire barrels.
One notable brig in operation during this time was the Jackdaw, owned by a pirate named Edward Kenway. The Jackdaw was unique in that it was significantly more well-armed and armored than others of its class, fielding armaments on a par with the Man O' War.[1]
Notable brigs
Legendary ships
Gallery
References