Final answer:
Antonio's big ships were larger and had more cargo capacity than smaller ships, suiting long voyages and extensive trade expeditions, though potentially at a trade-off in terms of maneuverability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Considering the context provided, Antonio's big ships likely compared with smaller ships in a historical setting, involving the comparison between the treasure ships of Zheng He and the smaller caravels used by Spanish and Portuguese explorers like Columbus. Zheng He's massive ships were indeed larger and had more cargo capacity compared to the smaller caravels and carracks used by the Europeans. These huge ships could carry an enormous amount of supplies and goods, allowing them to undertake long voyages and trade missions. They had multiple decks and masts which enabled them to be more effective in their intended roles. While they may not have been as maneuverable as the smaller ships, their design allowed them to navigate both the open seas and river estuaries due to their shallow drafts and also provided durability with watertight bulkheads.