Construction Features of Doel 1, a 14th‐Century Cog found in Flanders

Abstract

In 2000, a well‐preserved, c.21 m‐long shipwreck, Doel 1, was found upside‐down in a silted‐up creek near the river Scheldt (Belgium). An interdisciplinary research project was initiated, including 3D registration of all timbers, wood species identification, dendrochronology and archaeobotanical analysis of the caulking material. Doel 1, of which 70% is preserved, displays the construction features of a cog. Unseasoned wood was used and dated by dendrochronology to AD 1325/26. Remarkable features include the symmetrical layout of the bottom planks, the atypical arrangement of the frames to the fore, and evidence of partial dissassembly of the ship after intensive use.

Key words:

• maritime archaeology
• cog
• ship construction
• 14th century
• Flanders

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the following people for their input and suggestions: the members of the scientific committee of De Kogge, Staffan von Arbin, Mike Belasus, Koen Deforce, Damian Goodburn, Fred Hocker, Tinne Jacobs, Glenn Laeveren, Tom Lenaerts, Alice Overmeer, Marnix Pieters, Lore Poelmans, Kris Vandevorst, Aleydis van de Moortel, Nele van Gemert, Johan van Laecke and Daniel Zwick. Last but not least, we are grateful for the comments of the anonymous peer reviewers and the editor which improved the quality of this paper.