Baltic yields 'perfect' shipwreck - Aircraft of World War II

comiso90 · 11-15-2007, 02:27 PM

BBC NEWS | Europe | Baltic yields 'perfect' shipwreck

A near-intact shipwreck apparently dating from the 17th century has been found in the Baltic Sea, Swedish television has said.

The discovery was made during filming for an under-water documentary series.

Public service SVT television said the wreck could be from the same era as the famous Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in August 1628.

The broadcaster said the Baltic's low oxygen content and low temperature had helped preserve the wreck.

SVT said the origins of the ship were unclear but its features resembled the work of Dutch ship-builders from the period.

"Experts who have studied video of the ship conclude that it is probably the best-preserved ship ever seen from this period," the station said.

A press release provided by SVT quoted marine archaeologist MR Manders as saying he was "overwhelmed" by the condition of the wreck.

"You can hardly call this a shipwreck," he is quoted as saying.

Mr Manders said the boat was likely to have been a trading vessel, 20-25m long, with two or perhaps three masts.

Excellent visibility

The location of the wreck, between the Swedish mainland and Latvia, had been pinpointed in 2003.

Underwater wreck carvings
Carvings suggest a Dutch vessel (Photo: Deep Sea Production)

But it was only in May this year, during filming for The Wreck Divers documentary series, that full exploration and filming with a remotely-operated submarine took place.

The programme's executive producer, Malcolm Dixelius, told the BBC the ship was found at a depth of 125m - offering "excellent" visibility.

The relative lack of oxygen in the water and its low temperature meant the ship had been amazingly well-preserved, he said.

SVT says the vessel probably dates from the same period as the Vasa warship, which was discovered in 1956 and brought to the surface.

The museum where it is kept is now one of the main tourist attractions in Stockholm.

SVT's The Wreck Divers programme is aired on Thursday.

ccheese · 11-15-2007, 02:36 PM

Interesting..... Do they plan to raise it ?

Charles

comiso90 · 11-15-2007, 02:40 PM

They wouldn't raise it until the have a custom built place to keep it.. I'm sure they'll do some research on the integrity, cost of preservation and make a decision.

Very cool though! I wonder what artifacts will be revealed.

.

Lucky13 · 11-15-2007, 02:53 PM

WOW!!

Gnomey · 11-15-2007, 05:24 PM

Very cool, wonder what it will have aboard?

11-15-2007, 02:27 PM	#1
comiso90 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FL Posts: 3,294	Baltic yields 'perfect' shipwreck BBC NEWS \| Europe \| Baltic yields 'perfect' shipwreck A near-intact shipwreck apparently dating from the 17th century has been found in the Baltic Sea, Swedish television has said. The discovery was made during filming for an under-water documentary series. Public service SVT television said the wreck could be from the same era as the famous Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in August 1628. The broadcaster said the Baltic's low oxygen content and low temperature had helped preserve the wreck. SVT said the origins of the ship were unclear but its features resembled the work of Dutch ship-builders from the period. "Experts who have studied video of the ship conclude that it is probably the best-preserved ship ever seen from this period," the station said. A press release provided by SVT quoted marine archaeologist MR Manders as saying he was "overwhelmed" by the condition of the wreck. "You can hardly call this a shipwreck," he is quoted as saying. Mr Manders said the boat was likely to have been a trading vessel, 20-25m long, with two or perhaps three masts. Excellent visibility The location of the wreck, between the Swedish mainland and Latvia, had been pinpointed in 2003. Underwater wreck carvings Carvings suggest a Dutch vessel (Photo: Deep Sea Production) But it was only in May this year, during filming for The Wreck Divers documentary series, that full exploration and filming with a remotely-operated submarine took place. The programme's executive producer, Malcolm Dixelius, told the BBC the ship was found at a depth of 125m - offering "excellent" visibility. The relative lack of oxygen in the water and its low temperature meant the ship had been amazingly well-preserved, he said. SVT says the vessel probably dates from the same period as the Vasa warship, which was discovered in 1956 and brought to the surface. The museum where it is kept is now one of the main tourist attractions in Stockholm. SVT's The Wreck Divers programme is aired on Thursday. __________________ http://www.BOOKSonWAR.com/ .

11-15-2007, 02:36 PM	#2
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	Interesting..... Do they plan to raise it ? Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

11-15-2007, 02:40 PM	#3
comiso90 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FL Posts: 3,294	They wouldn't raise it until the have a custom built place to keep it.. I'm sure they'll do some research on the integrity, cost of preservation and make a decision. Very cool though! I wonder what artifacts will be revealed. . __________________ http://www.BOOKSonWAR.com/ .

11-15-2007, 02:53 PM	#4
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,144	WOW!! __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

11-15-2007, 05:24 PM	#5
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	Very cool, wonder what it will have aboard? __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode