Attached to the respective yards of square-rigged ships are smaller spars, which can be extended, thus lengthening the yard, thus receiving an additional sailing wing on each side. On the foremast is a similar sail, called the trysail. Behind the main sail there is a small fore-and-aft sail called the spanker or boom mainsail (it is somewhat similar to the main sail of a schooner). īrig sails are named after the masts to which they are attached: the mainsail above that the main topsail above that the main topgallant sail and occasionally a very small sail, called the royal, is above that.
To improve maneuverability, the mainmast carries a small ( gaff rigged) fore-and-aft sail. In sailing, a full-rigged brig is a vessel with two square rigged masts (fore and main).
