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Remarkable how well preserved shipwrecks can be in an environment without shipworms and few other degrading organisms.
The Shipwreck of the Swedish ship Bodekull that sank in Dalarö in the Swedish archipelago outside Stockholm in 1678, one of the best preserved shipwrecks from the period in the world
Outstanding [photography] of Ingemar Lundgren/Ocean Discovery/VRAK - Museum of Wrecks
Ummm...
Why does the Baltic have exceptional preservation of wooden shipwrecks? The Black Sea I semi-understand: the (lighter) fresh water from the rivers feeding into it doesn't mix, but forms a top layer, so the deeper water never comes into contact with the air, so is de-oxygenated and there is no significant marine life below a certain level. Is something like that at work in the Baltic? Or is it that the Baltic is enough fresher than the oceans that salt-water organisms like ship-worms don't go there?
(Fantastic picture! Almost unbelievable that a wreck that old would be in that good condition.)
Allen Hazen wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 6:50 am
Ummm...
Why does the Baltic have exceptional preservation of wooden shipwrecks? The Black Sea I semi-understand: the (lighter) fresh water from the rivers feeding into it doesn't mix, but forms a top layer, so the deeper water never comes into contact with the air, so is de-oxygenated and there is no significant marine life below a certain level. Is something like that at work in the Baltic? Or is it that the Baltic is enough fresher than the oceans that salt-water organisms like ship-worms don't go there?
(Fantastic picture! Almost unbelievable that a wreck that old would be in that good condition.)
Yeah it’s essentially the same deal in the Baltic, plus waters are generally cooler which helps to slow degradation as well.
There’s a number of 3d models available of Swedish shipwrecks and historic vessels available online. The wreck in this thread can be found among them, as well as the Vasa and many others. Some may find them interesting.
