a brig is "generally built on a larger scale than a schooner. it could approach the size of a full-sized, three-masted ship." brigs varried in length between 75 and 165 ft (23–50 m) with tonnages up to 480. historically, most brigs were made of wood. however some later brigs were built with hulls and masts of steel or iron. brigs with pine hulls were built in the 19th century. they was designed to last for about twenty years although many lasted longer.