Here are some diagrams that illustrate the sails and some of the common features of sailing ships.

Common features


If you would like to see other specific items labelled on this diagram, send a msg to Blackhand_Sam.
The image is a model of the HMS Surprise.



Sails

Here are the common sails of a square-rigged sailing ship.

Flying jib Jib Fore topmast staysail Fore staysail Foresail or Fore course Fore topsail Fore topgallant Main staysail Main topmast staysail Middle staysail Main topgallant staysail Mainsail or Main course Main topsail Main topgallant Mizzen staysail Mizzen topmast staysail Mizzen topgallant staysail Mizzen sail Spanker Mizzen topsail Mizzen topgallant Staysails are sails rigged from the mast 'stays' - heavy lines that run fore and aft supporting the various masts.

* sail diagram source: Serres, "Liber Nauticus", and reprinted in the Harper-Collins editions of Patrick O'Brian's Capt. Aubrey/Stephen Maturin series.