Xebec

Xebec

The Xebec was a widely used by Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. They are built for speed by having a narrower floor than most tall ships. It is available as a FULLY ASSEMBLED model ready to be proudly display as a piece of history. Master craftsmen handcraft these highly detailed wood models from scratch using historical photographs, drawings and original plan. They are built to scale with high-grade wood such as: western red cedar, rosewood, and mahogany. They are 100% hand built individually using plank-on-frame construction method and are similar to the building of actual ships. Each model requires hundreds of hours to finish and must go through a demanding quality control process before leaving the workshop. The Xebec has three masts with an elaborate display of riggings. There are gold coated metal cannons around the hull. The extended stern is the most eye capturing part of this model. There is an miniature wooden rowboat on the deck with oars. The elongated bowsprit of the Xebec makes it really stand out as a beautiful ship. You can find dozens of detailed sculpture and ornaments throughout the Xebec. This model come with an attached wood base with a brass nameplate. It’ll make a perfect gift for home or office decorator, boat enthusiast, or passionate collector.

History

The three masted Xebec was used for centuries in the Mediterranean as a merchant ship because of its speed and shallow draught. It was not long before Corsairs, the pirates of the Mediterranean, decided on the Xebec as their vessel of choice for lightening fast attacks on heavier merchant ships. With its fourteen cannons slug low in the waists, the Xebec would hole her prey just inches above the waterline making escape impossible. Six culverins were mounted along the poop deck for close action or just in case the crew tried to mutiny. Oars were used when the wind failed giving the Xebec the upper hand in attacking other vessels or fleeing the authorities.