Posted by Gran on 2009-11-01 13:53:29
According to Wikipedia: "A small sail flown immediately above the topgallant on square rigged sailing ships"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_%28sail%29
Sometimes you just need to search a bit. ;-)
Posted by Kraark on 2009-11-01 14:45:42
hmm, couldnt find it myself :(. the word "royal" is used in so many places. Thanks.
Posted by kjartan on 2009-11-01 23:28:54
- meaning that the royal sail is the FOURTH from the bottom (e.g. on the main mast they go: mainsail, main topsail, main topgallant, main royal) and so a sail you will only set when you really want to maximize the thrust and speed of the ship with attendant risks to crew or equipment (thus a quiet, careful unaggressive commander might very well only set his royals very rarely).
Posted by DustBunny on 2009-11-02 05:11:44
*insert crass joke here*