galleass

A galleass was a large, fast galley used as a warship by Mediterranean countries in the 16th and 17th centuries. It combined both sails and oars, though it was primarily propelled by rowing. These vessels were a transitional type, bridging the gap between oared warships and full sailing vessels.12

The galleass was a compromise between the traditional galley and the emerging sailing warship. While relying on oars for maneuverability, galleasses also utilized sails. They were heavily armed, often with numerous guns, including heavy artillery mounted on their broadsides. The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 featured Venetian galleasses, which contributed significantly to the European fleet's victory with their concentrated firepower. Galleasses outside the Mediterranean were often full-rigged sailing ships with auxiliary oars. This hybrid design was not widely adopted and soon fell out of use.21