Michael Baizerman Author

Yesterday, October 2, 2026, I uploaded the final draft of my paper,  " Pioneering the Atlantic Route:  The Genoese Vessels Unlock the Maritime Route to the North Sea," on Academia.edu.  https://www.academia.edu/176668099/Pioneering_the_Atlantic_Route_The_Genoese_Vessels_Unlock_the_Maritime_Route_to_the_North_Sea   The sections on lateen-rigged ships, cogs, and early carracks have undergone major revisions. I enlisted AI to check controversial statements. I requested and received permission from an American sailor and a journalist to reproduce his photo of a modern shoal-[shallow-] draft vessel deliberately going aground. The same practice as used by cogs in my story. The account comprises 15,500 words and 96 notes, including explanations of nautical terms. I added a conclusion that repeats the same ideas in a different, more nuanced tone. Most additions make this piece readable for both history students and history enthusiasts.   This is the first article o...

My blog's popularity has grown by leaps and bounds. By September 9th, nearly 15K viewers have visited it,  with the total approaching 60K. As usual, I am not sure why, but want to thank you all for your interest. After a long preparation, I have stated writing the first draft of the first chapter of a new cycle about the Flanders galleys. The chapter, titled " Pioneering the Atlantic Route: The Genoese Vessels Paving the Way to the North Sea," will focus on how and why Genoese mariners launched a new maritime route linking their homeland with Flanders and England.  The chapter will  include the following topics: a. The Rise and Passing of the Champagne Fairs b. Unlocking the Bottleneck c. Ligurian Round Ships d. North-European Cogs e. The advent of the early carrack The extract about the Champagne Fairs will present the business opportunities of the land route between Genoa and Champagne and explain why the Fairs became the focus of international trade and finance...

Although the draft of this article is ready, I will not upload it yet for two reasons.  The main reason is the chapter order. "The Venetian Response" is the second chapter, and I don't like to move it before the first one, "Pioneering the Atlantic Route." The latter still needs many changes, including additional lines on the Champagne Fairs, Genoese round ships, north-European cogs, Mediterranean cogs, and a few others.  When I finish developing the first account, I will solve the second, financial problem by renewing my  Academia Premium membership, which will give my articles broader exposure.  Here is the outline of the second chapter: 1.        A new design 2.        A Specialized Ship 3.        The galley as a Sailer a.        The Open-sea Crossing   b.        Around the clock and against opposing ...

 The full name of my future article is " Pioneering the Atlantic Route: The Genoese Vessels Paving the Way to the North Sea."  This manuscript provides a detailed examination of the shift from overland trade to the North Atlantic maritime route, highlighting the agency of Genoese entrepreneurs and the technological evolution of the Mediterranean Cog. While preparing this account, I received unexpected aid from two sources.  Academia introduced an option called CiteRight, which marked my controversial claims and suggested a closer look on additional literature. This advice helped me rewrite my essay in a more nuanced way. Additionally, I submitted my updated opus for consideration by Jenni.AI, a new reference site for researchers, and received volumes of friendly critique. It is very important for me to study new suggestions before re-editing my article, though I don't accept some of their suggestions at face value. The first issue is the sunset of the Champagne Fairs in t...

 As I extend my research, I begin to understand the scope of my task, which exceeds the size of a short article. I decided to divide my essay into working blocks.  The outline of the first block: 1. Uncorking the Atlantic route 2. The Venetian response a. Propulsion b. Speed 3. Safety and security a. General b. Safety c. Security The first topic focuses on the Genoese merchants' response to an unfriendly reception in France on their way to the Champagne Fairs and their search for an alternative route, which led them to Bruges. Initially run by light galleys, the Flanders line soon switched to round ships. The shipbuilders designed a new type, the three-masted Mediterranean cog, which combined the construction traditions of North and South Europe, to transport bulky commodities.  The Venetians responded to the launch of a new route by designing a great galley, a hybrid craft that could serve both as a warship and a cargo vessel. The boat could sail in all seasons but could...

Henri Sbonski de Passebon , 1690. A c olorised engraving of a French galley from the early 17th century I have not posted any updates since the first stage of the new research has been, as always, dull and unimaginative, focusing on learning basic facts.  However, a few days ago, I moved to a new stage, where I develop data and find evidence. I have even written the outline of the future article, though it may change a lot.  Anyway, I have started asking research questions and supplying the answers.  What made a great galley a specialized vessel? What were the dimensions and cargo capacity of a great galley in the sixteenth century? What do we know about the safety and security of the great galleys? My sources are: Lionel Casson, Merchant Galleys. In Robert Gardiner, The Age of the Galley. (Edison: Chartwell Books Inc., 2000)   Renard Gluzman, Wrecked, Captured or Destroyed: The Challenge to Ensure Adequate Protection at Sea in the Sixteenth Century. In:...