It is really to be regretted, as ~Jal~ says, that we have no more exact information. There is no doubt, however, that, even in the middle ages, there were good broad-beamed ships (~Jal~, _Clos. naut._, p. 1057; ~La Croix~, p. 86; idem, p. 96) which allowed at least five hundred fighting men to be carried. (~Jal~, _Archéologie Navale_, p. 380, 2d part, note.) Even horses were loaded on board. (~Jal~, _Archéologie Navale_, p. 386, etc. ~Holmes~, p. 68.) In order to reconstitute the types inherent to the Mediterranean, it is necessary to find out, first of all, what models were still existing at the end of the XVIIIth century, at the time when wooden vessels exclusively were used. It will be remarked, before beginning this examination, that boats were constantly beached when not under way; let it also be noted that the waters of the Mediterranean were calm, when compared with those of the Ocean. This latter point especially explains why vessels with oars were there so long in use. (~Paris~, Vol. IV, p. 206.) In order to ground the boats, the bottom of the hull had to be flat and, as a matter of fact, the centre body of the vessels under consideration is wide and flat, wider even than that of the vessels from the North. The beam of these latter was to the length as 1:4, while in most of the Mediterranean vessels this proportion varies between 1:2½ and 1:3½ (generally, 1:3). The Mediterranean boats are pointed toward the stem and the sternpost, which is the contrary of what exists for the Northern vessels and this shape gives the former an appearance all their own. Furthermore, the sides of these ships do not come at all together toward the top; at most, they are vertical; in other words: the greatest width is at the top. Among the old models, some are found which have: 1ᵒ a straight sloping stem; 2ᵒ a straight vertical stem, and 3ᵒ a curved stem which is convex or concave at the top. Alongside of the broad-beamed vessels, there are a few longer ones, of which the beam is to the length as 1 to 5. Intentionally, no mention has been made of the sternpost as this has been modified in most cases by the adoption of the rudder. [Sidenote: II 48] Besides, many boats have a flat projection at the stern furnished with a balustrade,--a detail which is found also on the Greek and Roman vessels. This position was originally reserved for the helmsmen who operated the steering oars. [Sidenote: II 49] [Sidenote: II 50] Among the more important types must be counted the _Xebecs_, with three masts furnished at the beginning with lateen sails. These latter were replaced later on by square sails. The ship thus modified was then called a _mystic Xebec_ or a _polacca Xebec_. The _Polacca_ also existed at this time. [Sidenote: II 53]