What Is A Xebec Frigate?

The Xebec, a type of Mediterranean sailing ship, was primarily used by Barbary pirates and xebec-frigates, ship-rigged ships with hulls similar to that of a xebec. These ships operated in the Mediterranean Model Gallery and were characterized by their sharp bow, low freeboard, and lateen sails. On May 6, 1801, Lord Thomas Cochrane, commanding the 14 gun brig HMS Speedy, encountered the 32 gun Spanish xebec frigate El Gamo.

The last of the xebecs in use by European navies were fully square-rigged and termed xebec-frigates. The British brig-sloop Speedys (14 guns, 54 men) defeated the Spanish xebec-frigate El Gamo on May 6th, 1801. The most well-known Xebec-Frigate was the HMS Speedy, which crewed 50 odd 1:1200 Xebec Frigate – El Gamo.

A xebec was a small and fast sailing ship used almost exclusively in the Mediterranean sea. In the late 18th century, the Xebec frigates, rigged ships with hulls similar to those of a Xebec, began to appear. These ships were used in the Mediterranean and had a long overhanging bowsprit and aft-set mizzen.

The xebec was the favored vessel of the Barbary pirates of the northern coast of Africa, designed with the hunters’ needs in mind. The commander-in-chief’s job was to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself. The other rig described is that of a fully-rigged ship, known as a xebec-frigate, which entails three square-rigged masts.