John Paul Jones

Was it proof of madness in the first corps of sea officers to have, at so critical a period, launched out on the ocean with only two armed merchant ships, two armed brigantines, and one armed sloop, to make war against such a power as Great Britain?

American Soldier

Nicholson Baker

E.B. White's essays are the best things I've read about Maine - especially the one in which he's not sure if he can go out sailing any more in his sloop.

American Novelist

A sloop is specifically designed for sailing on the water, used often in recreational contexts.

Sailing Vessel

Remember, a sloop has only one mast, which differentiates it from multi-masted vessels.

Single-masted

Sloops are commonly used for leisure activities, less often for commercial purposes.

Recreational Sailing

In historical contexts, a 'sloop' refers to a small warship, which is crucial for naval references.

Historical Warship

The single gun deck is a defining feature of a sloop in historical military scenarios.

Gun Deck

'Sloop' as a warship is an old-fashioned term, so use it when discussing historical topics.