Flute

"Instead of sending that flute we'll be boarding today to the sea bottom, I could merely capture her, and give her to you, mon ami, to captain for me. Admittedly, she's a bit unwieldy and slow, but one must start somewhere. What say you, Jacques?"

- Christophe-Julien de Rapièr to Jack Sparrow

A flute, fluit, or fluyt, was a Dutch type of sailing vessel originally designed as a dedicated cargo vessel. Originating from the Netherlands in the 16th century, the vessel was designed to facilitate transoceanic delivery with the maximum of space and crew efficiency. The inexpensive ship — which could be built in large numbers — usually carried 12 to 15 cannons, but was still an easy target for pirates. Nonetheless, the flute was a significant factor in the 17th century rise of the Dutch seaborne empire.