Wreck with a contested ID

In 1968, a shipwreck was discovered in 12-17 metres of water at the south shore of Älvsnabben island in the southern Stockholm archipelago. It was excavated in the 1970's and for many years was only known as the Älvsnabben wreck after its location. The wreck site is situated in a military area.

The wreck is a two-masted galiot, a ship type with a rounded stern that was normally used for coastal shipping.

In 1994, Christian Ahlström from Helsinki published a report based on extensive archive research. He identified the wreck as the Concordia from Stralsund which sank in 1754.

In the 1990's, archaeological research was done on a nearby wreck (the Koster wreck), and the researchers agreed that this other wreck was a more likely candidate for the Concordia. This was based on the design of the vessel and on the cargo found in it.

The historian Christian Ahlström had searched in the archives after shipwrecks in the area around Älvsnabben. Ahlström had the task of identifying the Älvsnabben wreck. Despite that none of the various shipwreck records he found in the archives really matched the Älvsnabben wreck he judged that the wreckage could be identified as the galiot Concordia, even though the ship type did not match (Ahlström 1995:109f). This one theory has since been cemented among sport divers. It is very doubtful that the Älvsnabben wreck is the Concordia, however, because neither the sinking depth, the type of ship, the degree of wear and tear, the location of the sinking or the cargo matches the Älvsnabben wreck. On the other hand, this information does match very well with the Koster wreck.

SMTM

A photograph of the bow taken from film material made by Jim Hansson.

The stern has been well preserved, making it clear that it concerns a two-masted galiot. This ship type has a distinguished round bow and stern.

Zuiderzeecollectie

Coloured drawing of the Dutch galiot from 1750 De Jonge Maarten by R.M. Briedé, 1938.

The wreck is a two-masted merchant ship sunken in 12-17 metres of water depth at the south shore of Älvsnabben island. The wreckage is 12 metres long and 6 metres wide. The ship is a galliot, a type with a rounded stern.

VRAK-Museum of Wrecks

Divers at the wreck, taken from film material made by Jim Hansson.

The hull is very well preserved and in one piece. On the rear deck, planking has been broken up and the rigging is gone, perhaps by salvagers in the 18th century. During the excavations, the time of sinking was estimated very roughly around 1730.

The divers found grains (mainly rye and oats) in the cargo hold and all of the coins found on board were from Northern Germany. The newest one found was from 1728, giving a post quem date for the sinking.

VRAK - Museum of Wrecks commissioned a 3-d model of the wreck, making it possible to also visit it above water.

Video footage and a 3-D model of the wreck, created by Jim Hansson for Vrak - Museum of Wrecks together with Alexander Rauscher.

• Älvsnabben Wreck.
• Christian Ahlström (1997).
  Looking for Leads.
  Helsinki.
• HÅKAN ALTROCK.
  KOSTERVRAKET MARINARKEOLOGISK FORSKNINGSUNDERSÖKNING.
• GÖRAN EKBERG.
  KOSTERVRAKET VÅRD- OCH SKYDDSPLAN.
• VRAK.
  Älvsnabbenvraket - with rye and oats in the cargo.