History
The Danish yacht Catharina Maria was built 1839 in Aarø, Denmark, rebuilt in 1872, and foundered on its passage to Lübeck on June 19th 1893 west of Fehmarn with a cargo of chalk from Faxe. The archival records indicates that the vessel was owned by C. P. Norsk from Rudkøbing in Denmark who was renowned for his smuggling activities and thus under strict observation by the customs office. Not surprisingly, uncleared commodities like 'Norsk coffee' became very popular in Rudkøbing as an unofficial brand, praised for its low price.
The wreck was investigated between 2008-2012 by AMLA divers (Arbeitsgruppe für maritime und limnische Archäologie), i.e. mostly archaeology students at the University of Kiel, led by Dr. Florian Huber.
Description
Owner: C. P. Norsk
The wreck reflects the small-scale coastal trade and smuggling activity between Denmark and Germany by locals in the 19th century with common commodities like chalk from Faxe. The personal belongings found in the wreck reflect consumer goods used in everyday life. Parts of the structure of the vessel were also discovered, like a pulley block. It was found that the vessel was fitted with leeboards, indicating its use in coastal and shallow waters.
Uli Kunz
The pulley block found at the wreck.
F. Huber
One of the leeboards.
The combination of underwater archaeological investigations and archival research – through which the vessel could be identified – highlights the potential of historical archaeology in a maritime setting.
| Master | C. P. Norsk |
|---|---|
| People on board | 2 |
| Length | 49.2 feet (15 m) |
| Displacement | 19 ton |
Status
The wreck itself is not well preserved. Only the portion of the hull beneath the pile of ballast stones has survived, whereas exposed parts are covered by anemones and are affected by shipworm (teredo navalis).
Uli Kunz
One of the divers at the wreck site.
References
- Huber, F. (2014).
Faxekalk und Schießpulver – Das Schicksal der dänischen Jacht »Catharina Maria«.
Neumünster. - Huber, F. (2013).
Von Kaffee, Kalk und Schießpulver – Das Schmugglerschiff »Catharina Maria«, LA8, Ostseegebiet 1527.
Archäologische Nachrichten aus Schleswig-Holstein 19.
pp 106-109. - AMLA (Arbeitsgruppe für maritime und limnische Archäologie).
Das Schmugglerschiff „Catharina Maria“ – eine dänische Jacht aus dem 19. Jahrhundert. - Dr. Florian Huber (http://florian-huber.info).
Catharina Maria – eine dänische Jacht aus dem 19. Jahrhundert.