Hanseatic Cog

Timeline

1. 1201–1300Wismar–Lübeck coast · Southern Baltic coastIn the 13th century, the cog type took shape in shipyards along the northern German coast; its broad hull and flat bottom suited the shallow harbors of the Baltic, gradually replacing earlier Northern European merchant ships in Hanseatic internal trade.
2. 1300–1400Lübeck · Hanseatic LeagueAt the end of the 14th century, the Hanseatic League controlled the Baltic–North Sea trade routes; cogs carried grain eastward and Flemish textiles westward, with fleet size and port tariff revenues reaching medieval peaks.
3. 1400–1500Bruges–Antwerp ports · Low CountriesIn the 15th century, Hanseatic trade in Bruges and Antwerp still relied on cogs, but more agile vessel types such as the caravel rose, and cogs gradually gave way to multi-masted sailing ships, essentially withdrawing from the front rank of ocean-going vessels by the early 16th century.