This specific rig configuration features square sails on the foremast and mainmast, but fore-and-aft sails on the mizzenmast. This design requires a smaller crew than a fully square-rigged ship while maintaining excellent speed on long ocean passages. It became the rig of choice for deep-water cargo carriers during the final era of commercial sail.
Heard on the job
She was rigged as a bark to save on crew wages for the long run around the Horn.
Also heard as
- barque
Do not mix it up with
- Ship: A ship is square-rigged on all of its masts, while a bark has fore-and-aft sails on its final mast.