Brigantine Swift in Camden Harbor

A brigantine is neither fish nor fowl; it’s got a fully square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainsail. This kind of rigging is sometimes called a hermaphrodite brig, for good reason.

I’m obviously not as familiar with square-riggers; they’re not as common around here. I started this painting from the docks at Camden, and something about the angle of the spars drove me nuts. Finally, I asked my favorite Old Salt if they were turned 90° when she was docked. “It may look like 90° but the shrouds prevent that and limit bracing the yards to about 70-80° from fore and aft.”

Well, I didn’t mean exactly 90°, but if you ask an expert, you’re bound to get an expert opinion. Chalk one up for lifelong learning!