Question

Why did long-range voyages not follow a straight line when crossing large areas of ocean during the Age of Exploration?

A. The Mongol navy didn't allow shipping through certain areas.
B. Ships were unable to last more than a few days away from land.
C. Ships had to take wind and currents into account.
D. European navigators had no idea where they were going.

Answer 1

The correct answer would be, C. Ships had to take wind and currents into account.

Answer 2

The correct answer is C. Ships had to take wind and currents into account.

That is because sometimes going in a curvy line on sea is much faster than going in a straight line because of water currents and winds. Ships were definitely able to go for a while out in the ocean and navigators knew where they were going, they just believed that it was a different place but they knew how to go westwards.