Xebec

The full index of our ship stamp archive
Post Reply
shipstamps
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:12 pm

Xebec

Post by shipstamps » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:28 pm


A typical Mediterranean ship, created by the Arabs, the xebec, is shown on the 80c. stamp, which depicts one of the large types built exclusively for war. The xebec carried three masts, tonnage varying from 30 in small craft intended for fishing, to 400 in those for fighting. At the time of Carlos II they began to be used in the Spanish Navy, and the first, armed with 24 guns was named Gitano. An unassuming Majorcan master named Antonio Barcelo became famous for his xebecs in his struggle against the Barbary pirates, so much so that he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General of the Spanish Navy. The fighting xebec (or chebec, as the Arabs called it) was in use in Spain in the 1760s.
Sea Breezes Nov 64 SG1665

Post Reply