Swedish west coast:
The list is sorted by the time of sinking
- The Galtabäck wrecks. Two clinker-built ships found on land in a
silted-up harbour near Varberg on the west coast. First find in 1908, excavations 1928 and 1998. Dated to
12th century AD. As the photo shows, the mast-step is in the frame, and not in the keelson.
Report in Swedish.
- Stora Sophia. Danish battleship built in
1627 and similar to the Vasa. Sank in storm in 1645 near Gothenburg. The
wreck was located in the 1950s on 25-28 m depth. Only the lower part of the hull is preserved sunken down
in the bottom mud. Partially excavated in the 1980s. Two 24 pound bronze guns are exhibited in the
Göteborg Maritime Museum.
- Havmanden. Danish East India-man. The crew mutinied in 1683. First the ship headed for the
Azores, then towards Copenhagen. But navigated wrong and sank north of Björkö Island near Gothenburg.
Found in 1999 by scuba diving amateur underwater archaeologists. Investigated in 2001 by
Bohusläns museum.
- Fredricus. Swedish
2-decked, 3-masted Navy frigate scuttled near Marstrand in 1719, to prevent the Danish
Navy from taking it. After investigations 1997-1999, the wrecksite was
covered again, thus preserved for future studies.
A report by Andréas Olsson
concludes:
"The project is a result of extensive construction works in the harbour.
The foundation of Marstrand town was established during the 13th century. Due to the
intimate and strategic connection between the town, the archipelago and the sea, the
town has been a vital centre for fishing, communication, trade and warfare (...). This
makes Marstrand one of the most interesting under water archaeological sites of the
western part of Sweden (...).
The largest single investigation of the Marstrand project is the excavation of the
Swedish Frigate Fredricus, scuttled by the Swedish themselves in 1719 as the city and
the citadel of Carlsten was under siege by a Danish squadron".
- Götheborg. Swedish Eastindiaman that sank on the Swedish west coast
in 1745. Partially excavated 1986-92. It sank in salt water and only the lower parts remained.
A full scale reconstruction is being
built.
- Amasis and
Antares. German cargo ships on their way to Oslo during the attack on Norway. They were sunk 9-10
April 1940 off the Swedish west coast by the British submarine Sunfish. Officially loaded with coal, in
reality loaded with war supplies. Rumours about troops hidden in the cargo rooms have never been
confirmed. Amasis is 133 m long and lying on appr 45 m depth. Antares is 96 m long and rests on 47-49 m.
They are difficult diving objects, because of the depth and strong currents.
Antares photo.