Fluyt Vs Galleon – The Differences

Key Point: Fluyt is different from a Galleon in the following ways: Size, Purpose, Speed, Crew Size, and Armament.

In this article, we will compare the fluyt to the galleon and list 5 differences between the two. Now, before we delve into the topic of fluyt vs galleon it’s essential you get a clear picture of what we will be discussing here. So, below you can find the differences between these two ships presented in an easy-to-read table format.

Now, let’s go and discuss each difference in detail, so you can see what we’re talking about here.

Fluyt vs Galleon – Size Difference

Fluyts were generally smaller and simpler than galleons.

Dimensions of a typical fluyt were:
100-110 feet (30-34 meters) long,
The beam of 25-30 feet (8-9 meters)
Draft of 11-12 feet (3-4 meters).

Galleons, on the other hand, were a bit more complex.

A typical galleon was around:
150-160 feet (46-49 meters) long,
The beam of 35-40 feet (11-12 meters)
Draft of 16-20 feet (5-6 meters).

Design Difference

Galleons usually had a more angular, tapered hull. Deeper draft, and a lower stern. This gave them better maneuverability and allowed for more space for weapons and crew. While Fluyts had a narrower beam and less freeboard.

Now, that we took care of the size and design difference, let’s take a look at the difference in purpose between the two ships.

Fluyt vs Galleon – Difference In Purpose

There was a massive difference in purpose between the two ships. Let’s begin with the Galleon first.

Galleons were designed to be able to withstand long ocean voyages. As well as engage in naval battles. Alongside their military functions, galleons were also used for exploration and colonization, since they were able to carry large amounts of supplies and equipment necessary for establishing new settlements.

Some famous galleons include the Spanish galleons that transported treasure from the New World to Europe, such as the Santa Maria and the San Juan de Ulua.

What About Fluyts?

Well, their principal purpose was to carry cargo for trade. They mostly were not used as a naval weapons, given they were designed to carry a lot of stuff with minimum crew. So, when were they used to fight ships?

One famous example of a fluyt being used in battle is the Battle of the Downs in 1639, during the Eighty Years’ War between the Netherlands and Spain. In this battle, a Dutch fleet of merchant ships, which included several fluyts, defeated a much larger Spanish fleet. The fluyts played a crucial role in the battle, using their maneuverability and speed to outflank the Spanish galleons and attack them from the rear.

The Dutch back then had to put their merchant ships into the fight against the Spanish fleet. The Spanish was one of the strongest Empires of the era with a formidable navy. The Dutch? Not so much. Their navy at the time could not compare, but they did have an extensive array of merchant ships that they pressed into service. Among them were fluyts.

Speed Difference

Galleons were generally slower than fluyts. Galleons had a top speed of around 5-8 knots (9-15 km/h). While fluyts could reach speeds of up to 10-12 knots (18-22 km/h). This speed advantage made fluyts ideal for trade and transport of goods, and outflanking maneuvers like the ones at the Battle of the Downs I mentioned above.

Crew Size Requirements

If we start with the galleon.

The crew size of a typical galleon could range from 200 to 500 men, depending on the size and purpose of the ship. This crew included soldiers, gunners, sailors, officers, and other specialized positions required for the ship’s functions. This large crew size made the galleon expensive to operate in comparison to the fluyt. So, what about the Fluyt? Well …

A typical fluyt crew could range from 10 to 30 men, depending on the size and purpose of the ship. This crew included sailors, officers, and a small number of soldiers or gunners for defense against piracy or other threats. The smaller crew size of fluyts made them less expensive to operate and easier to manage than larger, more complex ships like galleons

And the weapons on board

Fluyt Vs Galleon – Difference In Weapons

Whats the difference in armaments between the two warships? Let’s start with the galleon again.

The weapons on a typical galleon could include dozens of cannons of varying sizes, as well as smaller firearms and swords for the crew. The specific armaments and their positioning on the ship would vary depending on the size and purpose of the galleon. And the Fluyt?

Fluyts could carry smaller firearms and cannons for defense against pirates or other threats.

The lack of heavy weapons on fluyts made them less suitable for long-range naval warfare. The benefit was it also made them less expensive to build, operate, and maintain. The focus on cargo space over armaments also allowed fluyts to carry larger quantities of goods. This served their primary purpose. Trade and commerce.

In Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you learned a thing or two and if you wish to continue learning about naval weapons from the Age of Sail I suggest you take a look at my article on Sloop of War right here.

Or here, if you want to see an article on one of the fastest ships of the Age of Sail.

Take care!

Sources:

“Fluyt.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2022

“Galleon.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2022