Medieval ships

Although wider and more frequent communications within Europe meant exposure to a variety of improvements, experimental failures were costly and rarely attempted.

Within the Mediterranean area during the Medieval times ships were used for a multitude of reasons, like war, trade, and exploration.

[4] Cogs were also used as military transports and warships, fitted with towers fore and aft.

[6] Hulks continued to be mentioned in use throughout the Middle Ages and into the 16th century when it is particularly associated with the Baltic and the Hanseatic League.

In contrast to some contemporary Mediterranean ship types, caravels had a rudder mounted on the sternpost, as opposed to using a side-mounted steering oar.

[10] The caravel became increasingly common in Northern European waters from the 1430s and the spread of this one type of vessel meant that carvel construction had to be learnt in the shipyards outside the Iberia.

The ships commanded by Vasco da Gama as the São Gabriel, with six sails, a bowsprit, foresail, mizzen, spritsail and two topsails, already had the complete features and the design of the typical carrack.

An example of a Northern European late medieval vessel with many characteristics of a carrack is the Danish-Norwegian flagship of King Hans, Gribshunden, which sank off modern-day Sweden in June 1495.

It was probably built in the Low Countries near modern-day Rotterdam in 1485, from timber cut in the River Meuse watershed of the Ardennes forest.

Archaeological excavation shows its carvel-built hull carried three masts, and featured a forecastle and lapstrake stern castle.

[12] [13][14] A number of smaller vessels are named in English sources of the Late Middle Ages, some of which continued into the 16th century and beyond.

Rowing was the primary method of propulsion, which was well-suited for often-fickle winds of the Mediterranean where they were primarily used.

The galley was also used in the waters of Northern Europe, but to a lesser extent since its low freeboard and lack of stability in rough seas made it vulnerable.

As a feudal superior, the Lord of the Isles required the service of a specified number and size of galleys from each holding of land.