roundship

Updated: May 17, 2025

For short cruises, coast work, rapid forays, and "shock tactics," she was admirable; but she could not stray far from a friendly port, nor put out in foul weather. The roundship, dromond, or cargo boat, was often little more than two beams long, and therefore far too slow to compete with ships of the galley type.

John Masefield - On the Spanish Main: Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien.