The wreck lies in Sweden's adjacent zone just outside the border of Blekinge County and has been known since 2016, writes the County Administrative Board of Kalmar in a press release.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the ship was loaded with, among other things, champagne and soda water bottles. According to Magnus Johansson, antiquarian at the County Administrative Board of Blekinge, the wreck is from the late 19th century.
It's exciting and thrilling with the finds that have been made. It gives a snapshot from a bygone era and the maritime life of that time. Now the wreck gets clear and strong protection as an ancient monument, says Magnus Johansson, antiquarian at the County Administrative Board of Blekinge to TT.
The decision means that the wreck may not be damaged and that objects may not be taken without permission.
"If the ship had sunk before 1850, the remains would have automatically been an ancient monument, but we have found that the wreck's cultural-historical values are so high that it should still be declared an ancient monument", says Daniel Tedenlind, antiquarian at the County Administrative Board of Kalmar County in a press release.
It was at the end of July that the discovery was made by the Polish diving group Baltitech. To locate the wreck, the divers had the help of Öland native Erik Bjurström. They found approximately a hundred seemingly intact champagne bottles on board, Bjurström has previously told Barometern.
Well-preserved porcelain and soda water in clay bottles were also found. The technique for carbonating water was developed in the late 18th century and was then an expensive product.
