The rig of this vessel is a mixture of that of the sloop and brig. The
brigantine is _square_-rigged on the fore-mast, and sloop-rigged on its
after or mizzen mast. Of its two masts, the front one is the larger,
and, therefore, is the main-mast. In short, a brigantine is a mixed
vessel, being a brig forward and a sloop aft.
Such are our coasting-vessels; but it must be borne in mind that ships
of their _class_ are not confined to the coast. When built very large
they are intended for the deep ocean trade, and many schooners approach
in size to full-rigged "ships."