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History of Anchors

Big Jake

Big Jake

Joined
Sep 18, 2022
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I'm working on the Kogge, and it seems to me that that anchors provided in the kit are too modern, the flukes and stocks seem incorrect for this period, I know they used stone anchors, but a vessel of this size, that would have been impractical (weight /size) to hold a ship. What are your thoughts?

anchor.jpg
 
Here’s an image of a small medieval cog (c. 1410), a model that includes anchor details (visible at the bow)—and offers a highly relevant reference for what a cog’s anchor would look like in context.
  • This is a scale model closely based on documented cog structures, such as the Bremen cog, making its anchor representation faithful to period design.
  • Visual context: The anchor is shown in place at the bow, helping you understand its scale and stowage relative to the hull and deck.
  • Detail level: Even though small, the anchor’s shank and lines are visible, great for modeling accuracy.

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A few ancient anchor designs, Greek stone anchors are well known, but here is an anchor on an ancient Greek coin that resembles a contemporary 15th century European anchor. Romans used an anchor that is basically the same as the "admiralty pattern" anchor we still use today. Anchors as we see them today are truly old, approximately 1,900 years old. So having and anchor that appears modern on your cog is still on the mark. The anchorsuppplied with your model appears to be of appropriate size for the vessel.
1756781773503.png

Here are three anchors that predate your cog, all ancient Greek
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Thanks all, I'll need to go with the kit supplied anchor, in the smaller Cog above, I note the ring is on the hook side,
 
Big Jake said:
Thanks all, I'll need to go with the kit supplied anchor, in the smaller Cog above, I note the ring is on the hook side,
Click to expand...
The ring for stowing it, yes. I believe the anchor line is passing over the port rail, under the bow and is still attached to the anchor stock - the line is just not visible in this view.
 
Hey big Jake

I have a question for everyone right away. Please excuse me, Jake, for asking another question in response to yours.

I would be very happy if someone could explain to me exactly how to calculate an anchor. I know the formulae for calculating the weight, but the exact procedure raises questions for me. Please feel free to send me a PN.

My questions would be:

How long is the anchor shaft?

What is the ratio of the proportions (anchor shaft, anchor head, cleat etc.)?

What is the diameter of the fastening ring?

I have so many questions. I would be very pleased to receive an answer. Gladly explained with examples and in centimetres and metres, if possible.

Thank you very much

Günther Ship-1
 
GIG1810 said:
My questions would be:

How long is the anchor shaft?

What is the ratio of the proportions (anchor shaft, anchor head, cleat etc.)?

What is the diameter of the fastening ring?
Click to expand...
It may be somewhat dependent on nationality and era, as well as rate? For English ships of war there are details in the Public Records Office (PRO106/2508) , Brian Lavery's book The Arming and Fitting of English Ships of War, and David Steel depending on the era. Usually there were several sizes on each ship so once you have the weight of each anchor, the following chart might be helpful if the era is close.
Allan


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The anchor of #10 is from 1840 and is about the same type as included in the Heller kit (apart from the shackle that is the well known ring). It is also anachronistic for earlier builds as the smiths in the old days had trouble to produce the curve in between arm and shaft. Older anchors should have a sharp edge in between arm and shaft as in the second picture of #7. So imho the anchor provided is far too modern. But to be honest I do not know how it would have looked, probabely slimmer ...

Here a german article that at least shows the anchor stocks:

And the head of a Kogge-anchor

Fest verankert

kogge.dsm.museum kogge.dsm.museum

XXXDAn
 
Last edited:
dafi said:
The anchor of ‘10 is from 1840 and is about the same type as included in the Heller kit (apart from the shackle that is the well known ring). It is also anachronistic for earlier buildds as the smiths in the old days had trouble to produce the curve in between Arm and shaft. Older anchors should have a sharp edge in between arm and shaft as in the second picture of #7. So imho the anchor provided is far too modern. But to be honest I do not know how it would have looked, probabely slimmer ...

Here a german article that at least shows the anchor stocks:

And the head of a Kogge-anchor

Fest verankert

kogge.dsm.museum kogge.dsm.museum

XXXDAn
Click to expand...
I hope this helps you. Frank
 

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