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Q&A: what a half-galley was

A half-galley combined oared propulsion with a greater reliance on sails than a full galley.

Baltic Fleet Galleys Half Galleys Littoral Warfare Mixed Propulsion Naval Technology Oared Vessels Sailing Ships

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Question

What is a half-galley?

Short answer

It is a hybrid vessel with oars and sails, relying more on sail than a full galley.

Notes

A half-galley was a hybrid between a sailing vessel and a galley. It retained oars but depended more heavily on sail than a conventional galley. The concise definition helps readers interpret the mixed propulsion used by smaller combatants in the period.