The figurehead, Photo: Anders Näsman.
In 1977, a wreck was found at a depth of 6 metres at Prerow on the Darss peninsula on the German Baltic coast. It preserved many intriguing artefacts, including cargo containing sulphur from Iceland, roof tiles, reindeer horn, whetstones, and personal items like net needles, lead weights, several metal vessels, and a lantern made of leather and metal. The finds demonstrate that the ship dates back to the first half of the 14th century.
Deep: 6 metres
Build: Dated to the first half of the 14th century.
Length: 20-25 metres
Width: -
Shipwreck: 1400s
Ship type: Cog
The finds recovered from the Darss wreck reveal that the ship was probably a cog travelling from northern Scandinavia with goods to one of the German trading cities. As the wreck has been well protected, items from its cargo and equipment have also remained in excellent condition for centuries. The finds provide a rich and at times detailed depiction of life on board and of medieval merchant shipping around the Baltic Sea.
During the Middle Ages, the Hanseatic League dominated Baltic Sea trade. Originally formed as an association of merchants to protect goods and traders during their long voyages, the league also aimed to create privileges for its members. Over time, ‘Hanseatic League’ came to mean the association of cities represented by the merchants.
The most efficient way to transport trade goods over great distances was by ship across the seas. The Hanseatic merchant ships were therefore a vital component of the European economy. The most important type of ship was the cog, a cargo-carrying vessel that transported large quantities of goods between the port cities of the Baltic Sea for several hundred years.
An age dating of the ship’s timbers, a wooden barrel from the cargo and several other artefacts reveals that the ship was from the first half of the 14th century.
Deep: 6 metres
Build: Dated to the first half of the 14th century.
Length: 20-25 metres
Width: -
Shipwreck: 1400s
Ship type: Cog
