It is thought that in the beaked vessel we have a representation of the Phoenician war-galley; in the vessel without a beak, one of the Phoenician transport.[97] A painting on a vase found in Cyprus exhibits what would seem to have been a pleasure-vessel.[98] It is unbeaked, and without any sign of oars, except two paddles for steering with.

About midship is a short mast, crossed by a long spar or yard, which carries a sail, closely reefed along its entire length.

The yard and sail are managed by means of four ropes, which are, however, somewhat conventionally depicted.
Both the head and stern of the vessel rise to a considerable height above the water, and the stern is curved, very much as in the war-galleys.

It perhaps terminated in the head of a bird.
According to the Greek writers, Phoenician vessels were mainly of two kinds, merchant ships and war-vessels.[99] The merchant ships were of a broad, round make, what our sailors would call "tubs," resembling probably the Dutch fishing-boats of a century ago.

They were impelled both by oars and sails, but depended mainly on the latter.