History
Conditions in the Baltic Sea (absence of teredo navalis or shipworm) are very favorable for wooden shipwrecks. The Lion wreck is well preserved. The Lion wreck is lying keel on the sea-bed as if she is still sailing. Even the shape of the vessel is still very much intact. On the top of the ships rudder is a carved wooden lion, giving the wreck its working name. The original name of the ship is unknown. The ship seems to be a sister to The Ghost Wreck, found in 2007 in the middle of the Baltic Sea. The bow and bowsprit of the Lion wreck was damaged suggesting a collision as cause of sinking. The three masts are still standing in situ. Rigging details are still visible.
Drawing of the wreck by Niklas Eriksson.
Description
The shipwreck is probably a Dutch trading ship from early 17th century. Marcus Hårde discovered the wreck together with Anders Backström and Jonas Rydin in May 2009. The 3 masts are still standing in situ. Rigging details are still visible.
Wooden lion carving on the ruder (foto: Jonas Rydin, Deap Sea Productions).
Status
Lion wreck in the Stockholm archipelago.
References
- Niklas Eriksson (2012).
The Lion Wreck: a survey of a 17th-century Dutch merchant ship, an interim report.
The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 41.1., pp. 17-25.