The figurehead, Photo: Anders Näsman.
In 2002, the remains of an exceptionally preserved ship were found at a depth of about 100 metres. A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) was sent down. Visibility was poor but it was still possible to see the fantastically preserved wooden vessel on the monitor screens. The figurehead was spectacular – a horse with claws instead of hooves.
Deep: 100 metres
Build: -
Length: 20-25 metres
Width: -
Shipwreck: In the beginning of 1700s
Ship type: Snow brig
The submarine rescue vessel HMS Belos discovered the wreckage. It was on a mission in the central Baltic Sea in January 2002 when a strange echo appeared on the sonar. It looked like an entire sailing ship with its masts upright. An ROV was sent down to inspect the find. The moving images showed a 25-metre long vessel with two upright masts.
The figurehead in the bow represents a horse with claw-like fingers instead of hooves. Its hands lie right over its belly, and the rear parts of the horse consist of something resembling a fish tail. The wreck is named after this figure.
A few years later, dives were carried out on the site. On deck, parts of the rigging have collapsed: yardarms, top masts, ropes and blocks. The wreck also contains the human remains of two people.
The divers found no visible damage to the hull, so it is difficult to say how the ship sank. It is probably a snow brig, and can be dated to the first part of the 18th century. This type of vessel was used both as a merchant ship and as a warship.
Deep: 100 metres
Build: -
Length: 20-25 metres
Width: -
Shipwreck: In the beginning of 1700s
Ship type: Snow brig
