I am always amazed by how well darkness, cold and a lack of oxygen can preserve a wooden ship wreck. Thanks to Badewanne, a non-profit group of divers that has been documenting shipwrecks in the Gulf of Finland for more than 15 years, we have a close up of an as yet unidentified 18th century ship wreck. The wreck is more than 60 meters (over 200 feet) down and is in remarkably good condition.
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A mystery 18th century shipwreck found in the Gulf of Finland – documentation reveals pristine details
The wreck has 12 gun ports on one deck, with six guns still present in their original positions. Whether more guns were present or if they were taken over board in an effort to save her at the time of her sinking is unknown. In addition to deck guns, other details lying on the deck include remains of ropes, buckets, remains of a steering wheel and stock of a rifle. Ship’s figurehead, a man figure, is lying on the seabed, just under the bow. Hatchways on gun deck are open, and remains of a barrel and pieces of wood are visible in the silt underneath them. The documentation work by wreck research team Badewanne has been completely non-intrusive, utmost care has been taken to protect this pristine discovery.
Despite research effort, the ship’s identity remains a mystery. Ship’s bell is still in its place, and if raised and preserved, it might eventually reveal the wreck’s identity. But at this stage the Finnish National Board of Antiquities is not planning a lifting operation.
“With this release we hope that the material will ring the bell amongst the marine historians and researchers in Sweden, Russia, United Kingdom and other countries active in the area some 200 years ago, so that the identity of the wreck would be finally revealed”, says Jussi Kaasinen from the wreck research team Badewanne.
Thanks to Alaric Bond for the passing along the story.
Wow, super state of preservation. I recognized the ship’s bell, 2 carriage guns and a port, hatches, and what was probably a carved cathead. Any idea what the spoked thing towards the end of the film is? Surely not a capstan with the bars mounted? They could not have remained in place during the sinking, could they? Any plans for archaelological investigation? Perhaps an ROV could swim into the interior and identify the cargo or construction details that could help in identifying the ship?
Twelve gun ports suggest a sloop-of-war. That would be a fairly heavy armament for a merchant ship in the period. If it is a warship, identification should be easier since navies preserve more of their bureaucratic records.
It would have been helpful to get some idea of the ship’s position to zero-in on possible candidates and eliminate others.
The wreck has been registered with the Finnish National Board of Antiquities since 2004.
“Despite research effort, the ship’s identity remains a mystery. Ship’s bell is still in its place, and if raised and preserved, it might eventually reveal the wreck’s identity. But at this stage the Finnish National Board of Antiquities is not planning a lifting operation.”
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