From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

The Ship

The Liberia

A barkMorris sailed on a 330-ton bark vessel known as the Liberia. Just about any sailor in the 19th century could have easily distinguished the difference between a ship and bark. Most people in 21st century, however, may have a tougher time.

A bark has three masts -- the long poles sticking up from the ship. Its foremast (front) and mainmast (middle) are rigged with square sails. Its mizzen mast (hind mast) is fore-and-aft rigged (non-squared and bent). Also, not too uncommon was an additional square rigged mast, which brought the total masts to four.

Bark vessels were primarily used for carrying cargo, even slaves, throughout the mid 19th century.