The wreck, located in Landfjärden near Häringe, south of Stockholm, is currently under examination. Preliminary dating suggests the ship was built in the 1480s or possibly the 1460s. Håkan Altrock, museum curator and project manager overseeing the investigation, describes the find:
“It’s a large ship, likely about 35 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s frame still rises high above the seabed, and in the stern, both the sternpost and rudder remain upright.”
What makes this discovery particularly significant is its construction technique. “Unlike the prevailing clinker-built ships of the time, where planks overlap, this vessel was built using the carvel method, with planks laid edge to edge on a frame to create a smooth hull,” Altrock explains.
The shipwreck is one of five discovered in Landfjärden. According to historical records, these wrecks were originally thought to be Viking ships. However, their exact type and age have remained uncertain.
“A year ago, we dated three of the four largest wrecks to the 1600s and 1700s. We were also able to link one of them to a historical source from the 17th century,” Altrock says.
He continues, “We call this particular ship Wreck 5. It is the oldest and most intriguing of the wrecks we’re investigating in Landfjärden. We have confidently dated it to the 1480s, though the ship might have been built as early as the 1460s and later repaired in the 1480s. What we also know for certain is that the timber used to build the ship was felled in either Möre, in the Kalmar region, or in eastern Blekinge.”
The Museum of Wreck’s maritime archaeologists will now complete their project on Häringe’s maritime environment. After that, there are plans to establish Wreck 5 as a separate research project.
“We plan to apply for external funding for an excavation,” Altrock says. “This ship represents a fascinating link between medieval and modern shipbuilding. It has the potential to provide us with valuable new insights into an important period in Sweden’s maritime history.”
The carvel construction technique allowed for the building of stronger and larger ships. Many researchers believe its emergence was a response to the introduction of cannons on ships in the 15th century. The need for onboard artillery required vessels with stability and durability, as well as hulls strong enough to withstand enemy cannon fire.
Take a look at the wreck in digital 3D-model: Wreck 5 - 3D model.
For more information, please contact:
Håkan Altrock, museum curator and project manager
Telephone: + 46 8 519 548 08
e-mail: hakan.altrock@smtm.se
