Final answer:
The caravel is a small, fast, and flexible ship that carried smooth-bore cannons. It was commonly used by explorers like Christopher Columbus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of vessel that was characterized as a small, fast, flexible, flush-deck ship that carried smooth-bore cannons is the caravel. A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable ship with two or three masts. It was commonly used by explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, for their voyages to the New World.