Black Seas: Large Xebec

A Xebec is a two- or three-masted vessel usually found in the Mediterranean that was used mostly for trading. It had a long overhanging bowsprit, an aftset mizzen mast and lateen sails. Favoured by Barbary Corsairs (Muslim pirates operating off the coast of North Africa) and Algerian Berber corsairs, early xebecs had two masts, whilst later examples had three. The ships were generally smaller than frigates of the period, both in terms of displacement and the number of guns they carried.

The modified ships were oftentimes faster than their victims owing to a narrower floor, and their lateen sails meant that it could sail at great speed close to the wind – lending them a great advantage in pursuit or escape.