Abstract
Both in the shallow Yangtze and Rhine deltas, flat-bottomed sailing craft made use of leeboards to prevent the drift of the ship when reaching or sailing close-hauled. Without a doubt, the leeboard was invented earlier in China, but contrary to what isoften suggested, the Dutch leeboard was not adopted from the Chinese example. Its invention should be considered an independent act, a case of convergence. The leeboard was introduced in the Low Countries simultaneously with the adoptionof the fore-and-aft ‘jib and spritsail’ rig and the transformation from narrow to broader ship hulls during the late Middle Ages. Over time the Dutch leeboard was further refined in form: deep and narrow leeboards for seagoing fishing vessels and round and shallow leeboards for the sailing barges and pleasure craft on lakes, canals, and rivers.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: TSEG - The Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
