| Sailing ship models are models of wind-powered ships. | | | | that tap the wind to power the ship. Ballasting helps to |
| In olden times, before the advent of the steam engines, | | | | weigh down the bottom of the ship so that the waves |
| sailing ships were the primary means of transportation | | | | would not push the ship over. Convention had it that |
| across long distances of water. Sailing ships were | | | | only a vessel with three or more masts was called a |
| used for ferrying passengers, cargo, mail, supplies, etc. | | | | ship. Others were called a boat. Now, the norm is |
| Some of the developing countries still use sailing boats | | | | ignored. The crew members who sail a ship are called |
| for fishing. There are many tall ship training vessels that | | | | sailors or hands, who take turns to take the watch. |
| provide recreational sailing experience. | | | | In modern times, the voyage of sailing ships for |
| In the age of sail yore, sailing ships had crucial military | | | | transportation of passengers and cargo is not |
| applications. Several wars were fought using sailing | | | | desirable, as this would take months. Expeditions, |
| ships. For example, Spanish convoys returning with | | | | explorations, and scientific voyages or training jaunts |
| gold and silver plundered from the newly-discovered | | | | are undertaken on sailing ships even at present. |
| Americas needed protection from the pirates. Naval | | | | Fine models of sailing ships are on display at the |
| battles were fought among the United Kingdom, | | | | prestigious American Marine Model Gallery in Salem, |
| France, Spain, and the Netherlands with the help of | | | | Massachusetts. During the Great Age of Sail, Salem, |
| sailing ships. The sailing ships had ferried a large | | | | Massachusetts, was one of America's busiest |
| number of slaves from countries in the African | | | | seaports and maritime centers. |
| continent to the United States, during the time of | | | | Sailing ship models are available with hundreds of |
| flourishing slave trade. | | | | dealers at prices ranging from $100 to $400. There are |
| With regard to the structure of the sailing ships, every | | | | museum-quality sailing ship models that can cost up to |
| vessel has a hull, rigging, and a mast to hold up the sails | | | | $15,000. |