SAN PAOLO chebec

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aukepalmhof
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SAN PAOLO chebec

Post by aukepalmhof » Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:06 pm

The chebec or xebec which was designed and used in North Africa by the Muslims for the first time in the 17th century used as cargo or pirate vessel in the Mediterranean. She could be sailed or rowed. Heavily armed. Gun ports were placed between the oar ports.

Three masted wooden hulled vessel, very fast and lateen rigged.
When the Christian merchants in the Mediterranean ports did see the success the Muslim corsairs had with this type, they want also the chebec.
1743 The first chebec was built in Malta, used to carry provision from Syracuse and Augusta

The Grandmaster of the Order of the Knights of St John in Malta investigated the building of two chebecs in 1754 to guard the Grand Harbour in Malta. The chebec was cheaper in maintenance cost and she could also be used to carry provision from Sicily.
The two chebecs built were named SAN PIETRA and SAN PAOLO in 1757, later a third was built which was named SPIRITO SANTO.
A chebec of 10 to 60 ton did have a crew between 6 and 11, while over the 100 ton she carried a crew of 14 to 25 men.
The average length of an armed Maltese chebec was 39.7 x 7.7 x 2.8m. (draught).
Armament: 16 – 6 pdrs on deck, 4 – 12 pdrs on the forecastle and 8 – 3 pdrs on the quarterdeck.
The smaller type was used in Malta till the middle of the 19th century.

Malta 1982 20c sg 703, scott?
Source: Piracy-and-Naval-Warfare-in-the-Central-Mediterranean-The-Maritime-History-and-Archaeology-of-Malta
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