The sails were attached, or “bent,” to long horizontal spars of wood called “yards” suspended above the deck through a complex system of ropes. ... A square-rigged vessel could only sail approximately sixty degrees into the wind, and so often used a shallow zig-zag pattern to reach their destination.

How do square rigged ships sail?

Square rig is a generic type of sail and rigging arrangement in which the primary driving sails are carried on horizontal spars which are perpendicular, or square, to the keel of the vessel and to the masts. These spars are called yards and their tips, beyond the last stay, are called the yardarms.

Are square rigged ships good at sailing into the wind?

"Yes, they can sail to windward. Its really a matter of how close to upwind they can get. A modern yacht can get closer than 20 degrees to the wind, the square rigged (Brig) sailing ship I used to crew on could do about 50 degrees on a good day.