The early modern era saw great changes in naval technology. Exploration and the desire to expand trade fueled the development of new and more effective naval vessels. These ships, in turn, contributed to the growth of global trade and interconnectedness that marked that period. In 1453 the Ottomans took control of Constantinople and effectively cut off European trade to East Asia. For this reason, in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, exploration for alternative routes became a key goal of Western European nations. The development of ships such as the caravel and carrack allowed for the great expansion of this trade-driven exploration. The caravel, a small 12-18 meter lateen-rigged vessel (Russel, 229), was developed as a fishing boat in the early 13th century, in Portugal. Its maneuverability and speed allowed explorers, traders, and fishermen to go farther and faster. The Caravel would become the backbone of early Spanish and Portuguese exploration and the model on which many other ships were based. Columbus used two caravels in his 'discovery' of the new world: the Niña and the Pinta; and Vasco Da Gama used the caravel Berrio in his expedition to Africa. The carrack, or nao, was a large, multi-deck vessel that used a combination of square and lateen sails to provide a balance of power and maneuverability. The carrack became the premier ship of early exploration and trade as it was capable of carrying up to 1,000 tons (Johnston) and was capable of withstanding the longest voyages. The first ships of the voyages of Columbus, De Gama and Magellan were all carracks. These early ships enabled mass American exploration and colonization......middle of paper......Modeling: Rigging Patterns - The Carracks and Caravels." Jan's Sites: Navigation. Np, March 8, 2012 Web. 24 November 2013. Glete, Jan. Warfare at Sea, 1500-1650: Maritime Conflicts and the Transformation of Europe. London: Routledge. 150-60 , 1999. Print. Rodrigues, Francisco Roteiro De Malaca." Prince Henry 'The Navigator': A Life. New Haven, Conn.: Yale UP, 2001. 225-38. Print.Schwarz, George R. "History of the Caravel." Caravel. Texas A&M University, nd Web. November 21, 2013. Vroom, Hendrik Cornelisz. Hollandse Schepen Overzeilen Spaanse Galeien Onder De Engelse Kust. 1617. Oil on canvas, Amsterdam.Web.Johnston, Ruth A. “Medieval Ships and Boats: Ancient and Medieval Times.” . ABC-CLIO, 2013.