Periagua (fromSpanishpiragua, in turn derived from theCarib language word fordugout) is the term formerly used in theCaribbean and the eastern seaboard ofNorth America for a range of small craft including canoes and small sailing vessels. The termperiagua overlaps, but is not synonymous with,pirogue, derived through theFrench language frompiragua.
The original periaguas or piraguas were the dugout canoes encountered by the Spanish in the Caribbean. Small craft of greater capacity were created by splitting a dugout and inserting a plank bottom, while thefreeboard was increased for sea voyages by adding planks on the sides. By the 18th century the termperiagua was being applied to flat-bottomed boats, which could be 30 feet (10 m) or more long and carry up to 30 men, with one or two masts, which could also berowed. Later in the 18th centuryperiagua became the name for a specific type of sailing rig, withgaff rigged sails on two masts that could be easily struck, commonly with the foremast raked forward and the main mast raked back. The "periagua rig" was used onU. S. Navy gunboats on theChesapeake Bay in the early 19th century. The termperiagua was also applied to rowingscows similar to ajohn boat.[1]
Periaguas were used in fishing and coastal and inter-island commerce. At the end of the 17th century periaguas were used bypirates aroundthe Bahamas,Cuba andHispaniola. Periaguas could be rowed against the wind, useful for approaching potential victims or escaping from pursuers.Benjamin Hornigold andSam Bellamy began their careers as pirate captains operating from periaguas.[2]
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