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The bow is the front of the ship. Left and right are measured from the crew’s view as they face forward.

The mast is the tall wooden pole that holds the sails. It carries the force of the wind into the ship.

This sail sits in front of the mast. Different ships used different sail shapes and layouts.

Curved wooden ribs help give the hull its shape. A few pieces from a wreck cannot show us every room inside.

These beams run across the ship and hold up the deck. The close-up below shows how they fit together.

This is the main sail in our example. A ship’s sails tell us about its rig, not just its name.

Some ropes hold the mast in place. Others let the crew raise, lower and control the sails.

The rudder is a hinged part at the back used to steer the ship. This drawing shows an example fitting.

Casks take up space in the hold. Their positions here are imagined, not copied from one crew’s cargo list.

Weight carried low helps balance the ship. These stones show the idea, not the exact layout of a wreck.