7202 WARSHIP OF THE UKRAINIAN COSSACKS "SEAGULL"

The Czajka was a type of seagoing rowing and sailing boat that was used extensively by the Zaporozhian Cossacks in the 16th-17th centuries. The boat was up to 20 meters long and not more than 4 meters wide. Each lapwing had up to 10 to 15 pairs of oars. Initially, lapwings did not have on-board weapons, but over time, 4 to 6 falconets were installed on them. Lapwings were most often made of linden and willow wood. The construction process was relatively short, taking between 14 and 21 days. Units of this type were characterized by great maneuverability, good sea performance, and above all, they were very cheap and relatively easy to produce. Interestingly, lapwings very often had two rudders - one in the bow and the other in the stern. The main basin of lapwing was the Black Sea, and with their help the Zaporozhian Cossacks set out on plundering expeditions to the Tatar and Turkish lands. In some cases, they even reached Istanbul.