{ "content": "

The Caravel<\/a> was a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese<\/a> to explore the West-African-Coast<\/a> and the Atlantic-Ocean<\/a>. Sponsored by Prince-Henry-the-Navigator<\/a>, the Caravel<\/a> was significantly more agile than the larger Carrack<\/a>. Its design incorporated Lateen-Sails<\/a>, which allowed it to sail against the wind, a technique known as beating.<\/p>

This vessel was essential during the Age-of-Discovery<\/a> and was famously used by Christopher-Columbus<\/a> on his 1492 voyage, where both the Niña<\/a> and the Pinta<\/a> were Caravel<\/a> vessels. Historical documentation of these ships can be found at the Encyclopaedia Britannica<\/a> and the World History Encyclopedia<\/a>.<\/p>