Galleon vs. Galleass — What's the Difference?

Integral to the establishment and maintenance of overseas colonies.

A type of galley that was larger and equipped with broadside cannons.

Designed for deep-water expeditions, featuring multiple decks and a high aftcastle.

Played a critical role in battles by combining speed, maneuverability, and firepower.

Known for their extensive use in naval warfare and significant carrying capacity.

Capable of independent sailing and effective rowing, suitable for various naval tactics.

Featured in many historic battles against pirates and rival nations.

Less common than galleons but notable for their unique design and tactical applications.

A large sailing ship used from the 16th to 18th centuries, especially by European powers for warfare and trade.

Used predominantly in the Mediterranean for both warfare and protecting trade.

Galleons were large, multi-decked sailing ships first used as armed cargo carriers by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries during the age of sail and were the principal vessels drafted for use as warships until the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the mid-1600s. Galleons generally carried three or more masts with a lateen fore-and-aft rig on the rear masts, were carvel built with a prominent squared off raised stern, and used square-rigged sail plans on their fore-mast and main-masts.

Galleasses were military ships developed from large merchant galleys, and intended to combine galley speed with the sea-worthiness and artillery of a galleon. While perhaps never quite matching up to their full expectations, galleasses nevertheless remained significant elements in the early modern naval armoury for some considerable time.

A sailing ship in use (especially by Spain) from the 15th to the 18th centuries, originally as a warship, later for trade. Galleons were typically square-rigged and had three or more decks and masts

A large, fast, heavily armed three-masted Mediterranean galley of the 1500s and 1600s.

A large three-masted sailing ship with a square rig and usually two or more decks, used in the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s, especially by Spain as a merchant ship or warship.

A type of rowable vessel of the 16th and 17th centuries, similar to a galley but larger, and normally equipped with sails.

A large, three masted, square rigged sailing ship with at least two decks.

A large galley, having some features of the galleon, as broadside guns; esp., such a vessel used by the southern nations of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. See Galleon, and Galley.

A sailing vessel of the 15th and following centuries, often having three or four decks, and used for war or commerce. The term is often rather indiscriminately applied to any large sailing vessel.

A large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts; used by the Spanish for commerce and war from the 15th to 18th centuries

The combination of oars and sails gave galleasses superior maneuverability and the ability to maintain their position regardless of wind conditions, making them effective especially in the constrained waters of the Mediterranean.

Galleons were larger with multiple decks and a high aftcastle, designed for deep-sea navigation and heavy armament. Galleasses had a lower profile with fewer decks, optimized for speed and quick maneuvering.

Galleons were typically used for transoceanic voyages, engaging in trade routes across the Atlantic and Pacific, often involved in colonial expansion efforts.

The peak use of galleons occurred from the 16th to the mid-17th century, declining as ship designs evolved towards more streamlined and heavily armed ships like ships of the line.

Galleons, due to their size and complexity, were generally more expensive to construct and maintain compared to galleasses, which, while still costly, required less material and labor due to their smaller size and simpler design.

Galleons generally required a larger crew, including specialized officers, sailors, and soldiers, due to their size and armament. Galleasses, while also requiring a substantial crew, had a significant proportion of rowers.

Galleons played a crucial role in naval warfare due to their heavy armament and ability to transport troops and goods across vast oceanic distances, influencing the outcomes of many significant naval conflicts.

Galleasses were especially effective in coastal waters and confined naval battles where their ability to quickly maneuver and deliver broadsides was strategically advantageous.

Both ships were heavily armed; however, galleons typically carried more and larger cannons configured for massive broadsides, while galleasses also included a range of smaller arms and were capable of versatile tactical actions.

No, galleasses were primarily used by Mediterranean powers, such as Venice and Spain, tailored to the specific conditions of Mediterranean naval warfare.

In the Spanish Treasure Fleet, galleons primarily served as transport vessels for silver and gold from the Americas to Spain, while providing robust protection against pirates and enemy nations.

Galleasses played a pivotal role at Lepanto by using their artillery and maneuverability to disrupt the formations of the Ottoman fleet, contributing decisively to the Christian victory.

Galleons commonly sailed to the Americas, East Asia, and Africa as part of trade and colonial expeditions, connecting continents in global trade networks.

Galleasses were primarily designed as warships, although they sometimes escorted merchant convoys and participated in anti-piracy operations to protect trade routes.