Portugal issued in 1990 four stamps and a stamp booklet which shows us vessel used by the early Portuguese Explorers.
BARCAS; Early barcas in Portugal were small shallow-draft craft engaged in fishing and used in river and coastal traffic; single masted with a quadrilateral sail under 30 ton. The 15th-century barca was a 2 or 3 masted (a 2 masted is shown on the stamp) often serving as a reconnaissance vessel accompanying Portuguese explorers. Small square foresail, square mainsail; sometimes rowed. Explores used barcas of around 25 tons.
Portugal 1990 32E sg2202, scott1815, 1815a.
Source; Aak to Zumbra a dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.
CARAVELAS PESCAREZAS; The stamps shows us a “caravelas pescarezas” which was first mentioned in the 1430s and survived into the 16th century. Used for fishing and trading in the Portuguese coastal waters, sometimes open but mostly fully decked when used by explorers and for trading.
One mast with a lateen sail. Crew up to 12 men.
Portugal 1990 60p sg 2203, scott 1816, 1861a.
Source: Internet various web-sites.
BARINEL; The first reference to the ship can be found in 1415. After the conquest of Ceuta, the Portuguese seems to have made use of this ship which had Muslims as well as Italian influence. The “barinel” was first used by the discoverer Afonso Baldaia and Gil Eanes when they made the second voyage towards the south of Cabo de Bojador in 1434. The “barinel” was heavy beamy craft a slow sailer and low in the water. They carried a large quadrangular sail hanging from a yard. The sails lower ends were fastened on the gunnel.
Portugal 1990 70p sg2204, scott 1817, 1817a.
Source: Internet, Chapter II Types of Ships and their artillery and equipment.
CARAVEL; The stamp depict a two mast caravel, which appears in Portugal by the beginning of the 15th century and she were better sailing craft than the “barinel” and over time and much alternations the “caravel” was mostly used by explores for the voyages from Portugal, she could also sail to windward, which was paramount for return voyages into the trade winds.
It is certain that the early caravels used by explores were of the two mast type which carried lateen sails and were ca. 100 tons. This type of caravel was in use even during the 17th century.
Portugal 1990 95p sg2205, scott1818, 1818a
Source Internet.