Large Merchantman

Large merchantmen are ocean-going vessels. They have large cargo capacity, can carry numerous guns, and have plenty of room for crew and passengers. Furthermore, they can be sailed with a smallish crew to save money. The large merchantman’s hull structure allows the vessel to carry significant cargo and fairly heavy firepower. Though designed primarily as cargo ships, large merchantmen have been converted into privateer or military vessels with great success The merchantman and East Indiaman are variations of this design.