Maritime archaeologists have made a landmark discovery in Danish waters, unearthing the remarkably preserved remains of what is now confirmed as the world's largest medieval cog, a 600-year-old 'super ship' that revolutionises our understanding of seafaring in the Middle Ages.
A Colossal Medieval Vessel
The ship, christened 'Svælget 2' after the channel where it lay, dates to around 1410. Its dimensions are staggering for its era: approximately 28 metres (92 ft) long, nine metres (30ft) wide and six metres (20ft) high. This colossal size gave it a cargo capacity of roughly 300 tonnes (300,000kg), cementing its status as the largest cog ever found globally.
Excavation leader Otto Uldum hailed the find as a 'milestone for maritime archaeology'. He emphasised that the wreck provides a unique opportunity to understand the construction and daily life aboard the biggest trading vessels of the medieval period.
Unprecedented Preservation and Finds
Protected for centuries under a layer of sand at a depth of 13 metres in the Sound (Øresund), the wreck's condition is exceptional. This shielding preserved features rarely, if ever, documented archaeologically before.
The most significant revelation is the extensive remains of a timber-built stern castle – a covered deck at the ship's rear where the crew could shelter. 'We have plenty of drawings of castles, but they have never been found because usually only the bottom of the ship survives,' Mr Uldum explained. 'This time we have the archaeological proof.' This feature represented a major advancement over Viking-age ships, which offered only open decks.
Another major surprise was the ship's brick-built galley, the earliest example found in Danish waters. Constructed from about 200 bricks and 15 tiles, it contained bronze cooking pots and ceramic bowls. 'It speaks of remarkable comfort and organisation on board,' said Uldum. 'Now sailors could have hot meals similar to those on land.'
Divers also recovered a wealth of personal items that paint a vivid picture of crew life, including:
- Painted wooden dishes and bowls
- Leather shoes
- Combs
- Rosary beads
- Remains of fish and meat provisions
Mysteries and Legacy of the 'Super Ship'
Built in the Netherlands with timber from the Pomerania region, the cog was designed for the hazardous trade route around Skagen into the Baltic Sea. Experts from the Viking Ship Museum noted these vessels were so efficient they could be sailed by a small crew even when fully laden.
One enduring mystery is the ship's cargo. Researchers found no trace, suggesting goods like salt, cloth, or timber floated free when the vessel sank. The absence of ballast indicates the hold was likely packed with heavy trade goods.
Despite the missing cargo, there is no doubt Svælget 2 was a merchant ship, with no evidence of military use. Its components are now undergoing conservation at the National Museum in Brede.
'We now know, undeniably, that cogs could be this large – that the ship type could be pushed to this extreme,' concluded Otto Uldum. 'Svælget 2 gives us a tangible piece of the puzzle and makes it possible to understand how technology and society evolved side by side in an era when shipping was the driving force behind international trade.'
