= The Snaikka (German: Schnigge) =
Besides the big barge also smaller ships were used in the commercial naval trading. The Snaikka (from the German Schnigge, Schikke, Sniegge or Snegge) was one of those and can be backtracked into the 10th century. It probably originated from Scandinavia. The Snaikka is a small, agile and quiet fast sailing ship, which was used mainly near the shore and to control the ports and their approaches. In war time they were also used outrigger or reconnaissance missions.
The Snaikka developed itself from a open sailing boat with side rudder to an agile open sea sailer. It only had on mast and was build in clinker style. The Snaikka could be rigged with a gaffelsail or a for-aft rig and a staysail. Beginning in the 15th century the Snaikka was probably rigged with a sprite- and gaffelsail. In the beginning the Snaikka and the Shnute were very similar. While the Snaikka was developed toward a fast offshore sailer, the Shnute became a small transporter. To start with the Snaikka could only carry 2 to 5 bales, the capacity could be enlarged to 30 to 40 bales. Some towns also supported the so-called 'Ratsschnigge' (council Snaikka) even during peacefull times. The Snaikka represented a solid part of the hanseatic fleet mainly in the function of auxiliary ships.
Source: Günter Krause, Handelsschifffahrt der Hanse, 2010,  S. 146 ff.