FRENCH MERCHANT KOGGE (cog)

[aukepalmhof]

The vessel depict on the stamp is a cog, mostly named a navis in France.
When the merchants needed larger vessels in the late 1000’s to carry larger shipments a new ships type developed in North Europe which was called a cog.
This type came also in use as a cargo ship in Southern Europe from the early 14th century in the same form but modified for local conditions. Mostly lighter built with a lower fore and stern castles as the cog built in the north.
She was primarily a merchantmen but occasionally used as a military transport.
Clinker built first, thereafter carvel. Early types open decked later closed.
Did have a castle on the stem and stern, carried one mast which was made of binding several poles together, strongly supported athwartships by shrouds, the shrouds were connected with ratlines to make it easy for the crew to go to crow nest.
The ship on the stamp is an early type with one mast, which carried a square sail later types from the 15th century carried multi masts.
Crew at least 35 men but in use as warship many more.
Reported length between 20 – 30m, beam 6 – 10,6m, depth 2.6 – 2.7m.
Kampuchea 1986 3r sg740, scott?
Vietnam 1986 2d sg 990. scott 1688
Source: Aak to Zumbra a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft. http://sailhistory.com