Brig vs. Ship: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 29, 2023
A brig is a specific type of sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts or a ship's jail. A ship is a large watercraft designed for long-distance travel, cargo, or passenger transport, and can include various types of vessels.
Key Differences
A brig is a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two square-rigged masts. In contrast, the term ship is more general and can refer to a wide range of watercraft, from small boats to massive cargo carriers.
In nautical terminology, a brig is a specific designation that informs you about the vessel's rigging and sail plan. A ship, on the other hand, is an overarching term that could include brigs, but also frigates, tankers, and cruise liners.
The term brig also has another meaning; it can refer to the jail or holding cell within a naval vessel. A ship may have a brig within it, but the term "ship" itself doesn't denote a jail or confinement space.
While a brig is always a type of ship, not all ships are brigs. Brigs are more commonly associated with historical seafaring and pirate lore, whereas ships are omnipresent, serving various modern-day functions like transport and defense.
Finally, in a brig, you can expect a certain layout, typically well-suited for speed and agility in naval warfare or piracy. A ship can be designed for many purposes, including cargo transport, fishing, or luxury cruising, each with its own specialized design and features.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Specific type of sailing vessel
General term for a large watercraft
Masts
Two square-rigged masts
Varies
Function
Historically used for warfare
Multipurpose
Other Meanings
Can refer to a ship's jail
Does not refer to a jail
Scope
Narrow, specific
Broad, encompassing
ADVERTISEMENT
Brig and Ship Definitions
Brig
A jail or holding cell within a naval vessel.
The unruly sailor was sent to the brig.
Ship
A large watercraft designed for long-distance travel.
The ship set sail for a transatlantic journey.
Brig
A two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel.
The brig sailed swiftly with the wind.
Ship
Used for cargo or passenger transport.
The ship carried goods from Asia to Europe.
Brig
Historically used for naval warfare.
The brig was armed with numerous cannons.
Ship
Employed in modern-day functions like transport and defense.
The naval ship was deployed for a rescue mission.
Brig
Associated with pirate ships.
The pirate brig looted merchant vessels.
Ship
Can be propelled by sails, engines, or both.
The ship used its engines to navigate through rough waters.
Brig
A two-masted sailing vessel, square-rigged on both masts.
Ship
A vessel of considerable size for deep-water navigation.
Brig
A jail or prison on board a US Navy or Coast Guard vessel.
Ship
A sailing vessel having three or more square-rigged masts.
Brig
A jail or guardhouse, especially on the premises of a US military installation.
Ship
An aircraft or spacecraft.
Brig
(watercraft) A two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both foremast and mainmast
Ship
The crew of one of these vessels.
Brig
(US) A jail or guardhouse, especially in a naval military prison or jail on a ship, navy base, or (in fiction) spacecraft.
Ship
One's fortune
When my ship comes in, I'll move to a larger house.
Brig
Bridge.
Ship
To place or receive on board a ship
Shipped the cargo in the hold.
Brig
Brigadier.
Ship
To cause to be transported; send.
Brig
A bridge.
Ship
(nautical) A water-borne vessel generally larger than a boat.
Brig
A two-masted, square-rigged vessel.
Ship
A vessel which travels through any medium other than across land, such as an airship or spaceship.
Brig
On a United States man-of-war, the prison or place of confinement for offenders.
Ship
A spaceship (the type of pattern in a cellular automaton).
Brig
Two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
Ship
A sailing vessel with three or more square-rigged masts.
Brig
A penal institution (especially on board a ship)
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Brig
Often features in nautical literature and history.
The brig appears in many tales of high-seas adventure.
Ship
(cartomancy) The third card of the Lenormand deck.
Ship
(dated) An aircraft.
Ship
(fandom) A fictional romantic relationship between two characters, either real or themselves fictional, especially one explored in fan fiction.
Ship
(transitive) To send by water-borne transport.
Ship
(transitive) To send (a parcel or container) to a recipient (by any means of transport).
To ship freight by railroad
Ship
(ambitransitive) To release a product (not necessarily physical) to vendors or customers; to launch.
Our next issue ships early next year.
It compiles? Ship it!
Ship
(ambitransitive) To engage to serve on board a vessel.
To ship seamen
I shipped on a man-of-war.
Ship
(intransitive) To embark on a ship.
Ship
To put or secure in its place.
To ship the tiller or rudder
Ship
(transitive) To take in (water) over the sides of a vessel.
We were shipping so much water I was sure we would capsize.
Ship
Leave, depart, scram.
Ship
To pass (from one person to another).
Can you ship me the ketchup?
Ship
To go all in.
Ship
(sports) To trade or send a player to another team.
Twins ship Delmon Young to Tigers.
Ship
(rugby) To bungle a kick and give the opposing team possession.
Ship
(fandom) To support or approve of a fictional romantic relationship between two characters, typically in fan fiction or other fandom contexts.
I ship Kirk and Spock in “Star Trek”.
I ship Peggy and Angie in “Marvel's Agent Carter”.
Ship
Pay; reward.
In withholding or abridging of the ship or the hire or the wages of servants.
Ship
Any large seagoing vessel.
Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,Sails filled, and streamers waving.
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Ship
Specifically, a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast, and square-rigged on all masts. See Illustation in Appendix.
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Ship
To put on board of a ship, or vessel of any kind, for transportation; to send by water.
The timber was . . . shipped in the bay of Attalia, from whence it was by sea transported to Pelusium.
Ship
By extension, in commercial usage, to commit to any conveyance for transportation to a distance; as, to ship freight by railroad.
Ship
Hence, to send away; to get rid of.
Ship
To engage or secure for service on board of a ship; as, to ship seamen.
Ship
To receive on board ship; as, to ship a sea.
Ship
To put in its place; as, to ship the tiller or rudder.
Ship
To engage to serve on board of a vessel; as, to ship on a man-of-war.
Ship
To embark on a ship.
Ship
A vessel that carries passengers or freight
Ship
Transport commercially
Ship
Hire for work on a ship
Ship
Go on board
Ship
Travel by ship
Ship
Place on board a ship;
Ship the cargo in the hold of the vessel
Ship
Includes various types of vessels.
The fleet consisted of ships ranging from frigates to oil tankers.
FAQs
Is a brig a type of ship?
Yes, a brig is a specific type of sailing vessel and thus a type of ship.
Can a ship be a brig?
Yes, a ship can be a brig if it has two square-rigged masts.
What is a brig?
A brig is a two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel or a jail within a naval ship.
What is a ship?
A ship is a large watercraft designed for long-distance travel, cargo, or passengers.
What was the historical function of brigs?
Historically, brigs were often used in naval warfare and piracy.
Can a brig be a pirate ship?
Yes, brigs were often used as pirate ships in history.
What are ships primarily used for today?
Today, ships are primarily used for cargo transport, fishing, tourism, and naval operations.
Does every ship have a brig?
No, not every ship has a brig (jail); this is more common in naval ships.
How are ships powered?
Ships can be powered by sails, engines, or both.
What is the brig used for in modern times?
Brigs are mainly historical ships but can be used for educational purposes or as replicas.
How many masts does a brig have?
A brig has two square-rigged masts.
What are the various functions of ships?
Ships serve multiple purposes like cargo transport, fishing, luxury cruising, and defense.
Is a brig faster than other ships?
Brigs were designed for speed and agility, making them faster than some other types of sailing vessels.
Can a ship be used for military purposes?
Yes, certain types of ships are designed for defense and military operations.
Are all brigs sailing vessels?
In one context, yes; but "brig" can also refer to a jail on a naval vessel, which is not a separate sailing vessel.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
