Mysteries of baltic shipwrecks. Underwater treasures of history. What does the Baltic Sea conceal?

The Baltic Sea, one of the youngest and shallowest seas in the world, hides true treasures of history on its seabed. It is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 shipwrecks of various vessels lie in its waters, ranging from medieval merchant ships to modern warships. Each one tells a unique story—of human courage, tragedy, or technological innovations of its time. Due to its specific conditions, the Baltic Sea is a unique site for underwater archaeology researchers.

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07 january 2025   |   07:17   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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The Baltic Sea: a perfect place for preserving history

The Baltic Sea stands out among other seas due to several key features that make shipwrecks here so well-preserved. Its waters are cold, low in salinity, and oxygen-poor in deeper layers. The low salinity limits the development of the shipworm Teredo navalis, which destroys wooden ship components in warmer and more saline waters. The lack of oxygen in the deeper seabed slows down biological decomposition processes. As a result, wooden hulls from centuries ago can remain almost intact.

Shipwrecks as archaeological time capsules

Shipwrecks in the Baltic come from various historical periods and represent many types of vessels. One of the oldest known wrecks is a ship built in the Hanseatic style, dated to the 14th century. The Baltic seabed is also home to numerous warships from the 17th century, a time when the Baltic was a battleground for powers such as Sweden, Poland, and Russia.

In 1564, the Swedish warship Mars, also known as Makalös, sank here. It is considered one of the largest warships of its time.

A remarkable example of a well-preserved wreck is the ship Vasa. Though it was salvaged in 1961, its story continues to fascinate. Vasa sank in 1628 during its maiden voyage, meant to participate in the war against Poland. Preserved in the relatively shallow waters of the Baltic, the wooden ship remained nearly intact and can now be admired at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.

Maritime Disasters of the 20th Century

In the 20th century, the Baltic Sea became the site of numerous maritime disasters, primarily due to the two world wars. The most significant of these tragedies occurred in January 1945 when the German passenger ship Wilhelm Gustloff sank after being torpedoed by the Soviet submarine S-13. Estimates suggest that up to 10,000 passengers were aboard, with at least 6,600 lives lost.

This catastrophe is considered the deadliest maritime disaster in history in terms of the number of victims. Some of the victims were secretly buried in Łeba and Ustka.

Another well-known wreck from World War II is the German tanker Franken, which sank following an attack by Soviet aircraft. This wreck raises particular concern among environmentalists, as its tanks still contain a significant amount of fuel that could leak, causing an ecological disaster. A 2020 report by Poland's Supreme Audit Office indicated that the Franken, along with the Stuttgart shipwreck in the Gulf of Puck, poses the greatest environmental threat to the Polish coast.

Wrecks: heritage and hazard

Baltic wrecks are not only a treasure trove of historical knowledge but also a potential hazard. Many of them contain remnants of fuel, ammunition, or other hazardous substances that could harm the ecosystem. This issue is particularly relevant to World War II wrecks, which are corroding and may release toxic substances into the Baltic waters over time.

Another challenge is protecting these underwater monuments from illegal exploration and looting. Wrecks are often treated as underwater museums, but their archaeological and historical value can be irreversibly lost due to the actions of amateur divers or antique dealers.

Underwater museums: a modern approach to heritage

Interest in Baltic wrecks continues to grow. In recent years, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to protect these underwater treasures. Archaeological studies are being conducted, and some wrecks have become tourist attractions for divers.

An example is the "Baltic Underwater Museums" project, which aims to create virtual and physical spaces that allow for the exploration of wrecks without the need for their recovery. Virtual reality enables visitors to discover underwater treasures while preserving the fragile marine ecosystem.

Selected Baltic shipwrecks:

• Franken – German tanker from World War II, resting at a depth of 48–70 m.
   
• Graf Zeppelin – an unfinished German aircraft carrier from World War II, lying at a depth of 87 m.
   
• Wilhelm Gustloff – passenger ship sunk in 1945, the wreck is located at a depth of 45 m.
   
• Steuben – German passenger ship sunk in 1945, resting at a depth of 72 m.
   
• Goya – freighter sunk in 1945, the wreck lies at a depth of 75 m.
   
• General Carleton – British barque from the 18th century, resting at a depth of 6–8 m.
   
• Solen – Swedish warship from the 17th century, lying at a depth of 16 m.
   
• ORP Wicher – Polish destroyer sunk in 1939, the wreck is located at a depth of 21 m.
   
• Abille – French tugboat from the 1930s, resting at a depth of 36–47 m.
   
• Christa – Danish cargo ship from 1939, lying at a depth of 13–16 m.
   
• Boelcke – German ship from World War II, the wreck is located at a depth of 60–75 m.
   
• Bryza – Polish fishing cutter, resting at a depth of 10–21 m.
   
• Groźny – Soviet torpedo boat from World War II, lying at a depth of 18.5 m.
   
• Mount Vernon – cargo ship from the early 20th century, the wreck is located at a depth of 28 m.
   
• Svanhild – Norwegian cargo ship sunk in 1943, resting at a depth of 20–25 m.
   
• West Star – cargo ship sunk in 1990, lying at a depth of 18–20 m.
   
• Fu Shan Hai – chinese bulk carrier sunk in 2003, with the wreck lying at a depth of 30–69 m.
   
• ORP Kujawiak – Polish minesweeper from the 1950s, resting at a depth of 33 m.
   
• Delfin – fishing vessel sunk in 1998, lying at a depth of 13–20 m.
   
• Arngast – German tugboat from the early 20th century, the wreck is located at a depth of 21–22 m.

The wrecks of the Baltic Sea are not only silent witnesses to history but also a reminder of human dreams, tragedies, and the pursuit of exploring the unknown. Protecting these underwater monuments is our shared responsibility – for future generations and to preserve the unique cultural heritage resting beneath the waters of the Baltic Sea.

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