Nobles' sons taken on board. possessed the necessary capital and qualifications. Once satisfied in this respect, the government handed over the ships all ready for the voyage to their commanders. For some centuries a singular law, or rather an ancient custom having the authority of law, prevailed among the Venetians. With the object of assisting the families of the indigent nobility, each of these hired galeasses, whatever might be the voyage undertaken, were required to receive on board eight sons of poor nobles, who were allowed the pay of seventy pieces of gold for the expedition, with a mess suitable to their rank. These young nobles had likewise the privilege of carrying four hundred quintals of specie or an equivalent, free of freight, to defray their expenses at the ports they visited, or they might turn the money to account in trade so as to improve their condition.[1]
Capacity of these vessels.
Crew, and regulations on board.
Each of these vessels are said to have carried, on
an average, five hundred tons of cargo under hatches,
besides a large quantity of cargo upon their decks, a
ton then consisting of only a thousand weight. Their
crews consisted of no less than two hundred men, of
whom one hundred and fifty were necessary to work
the oars and sails. Twelve of the smartest men of the
crew were selected to attend to the duty of steering
the vessel under the order of the pilots, of whom
there were two in each vessel. These twelve men,
on whom the more important duties devolved, were
required to take the lead in the work of seamanship,
especially in going aloft to furl sails: they bore the
name of "gallants," whence, no doubt, the word
- ↑ A similar custom is mentioned at Florence, sub an. 1422. See Napier's "Flor. Hist." iii. p. 56.
