The purchased ships created a practical crewing problem because French sailors had to learn Spanish rigging arrangements. British systems were designed for ease of use and reduced manpower, while French systems offered more lines and finer control over sail trim. In this comparison, Spanish practice occupied an intermediate position suited in part to the Mediterranean's variable winds. Rigging therefore embodied choices about crew supply, sailing environment, and how much fine control a navy expected from each ship.
Notable Point · 28:29-30:59
Rigging systems reflected different manpower tradeoffs
British rigging favored simpler handling by smaller crews, while French practice sought finer sail control and Spanish arrangements occupied a middle ground.