Charrua is a Portuguese nautical expression of the Age of Sail, initially used to designate the use of a frigate or a ship of the line owned by the State as a transport ship, reducing armament and complement, like the French nautical expression en flûte.[1] [2]
The charrua had large decks and big space for accommodation, and in sail terms it was not different from the ship of the line, having three masts,[3] and also a large hold. The charrua was intended for the transport of troops, food, ammunition, etc. In the first half of the 19th century, the expression passed to designate any type of ship used as a passenger ship.