Final answer:
The ship type that enabled faster Portuguese navigation down Africa's western coast was the caravel. Its design improvements, such as triangular sails, made it swift and maneuverable, leading to crucial explorations and the establishment of trade networks and Portugal's maritime empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of ship that allowed the Portuguese to sail down Africa's western coast with greater speed was the caravel. These innovative vessels were instrumental in Portuguese exploration during the Age of Discovery. The caravel was a lighter and faster ship with triangular sails that allowed it to sail more efficiently, especially for windward travel.Due to the support of people like Prince Henry the Navigator, Portuguese explorers capitalized on this maritime advantage. They navigated uncharted waters, leading to trade networks with West African kingdoms and the establishment of commercial footholds along the coast. These strong relationships facilitated the trade in gold, spices, and eventually became part of the wider Trans-Atlantic slave trade.The improvements made to the caravel, including its maneuverability and speed, were crucial for Portuguese mariners like Bartolomeu Dias, who rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and Vasco de Gama, who reached India, marking the beginning of Portugal's sea empire. The presence of these nimble ships cemented Portugal's position as a formidable sea power at the time and contributed to their significant role in global exploration and trade.