Wreck discovery off Öland: Champagne and soda water

A shipwreck believed to be from the mid-19th century has been found off Öland – filled with champagne bottles and soda water, several media outlets report.

» Updated:

» Published:

Wreck discovery off Öland: Champagne and soda water
Photo: Martina Holmberg/TT

Share this article

A shipwreck believed to be from the mid-1800s has been found off Öland – filled with champagne bottles and soda water, several media outlets report.

It was last week that the wreck was discovered south of Öland by the Polish diving group Baltitech.

To locate the wreck, the divers had the help of Öland native Erik Bjurström. They found approximately one hundred seemingly intact champagne bottles on board, he tells Barometern. Similar finds have previously been auctioned off in England for around 30,000 kronor per bottle.

Soda water in clay bottles was also found. The technique for carbonating water was developed at the end of the 1700s and was then an expensive product.

It's an incredibly sensational find, says Erik Bjurström.

"A frozen moment"

The company that produced the soda water still exists and it is after contact with them that the cargo is estimated to be from 1860.

Besides the bottles, intact porcelain and wine were discovered.

The ship seems to be completely untouched and very little of the wreck has been examined yet, says archaeology professor Johan Rönnby, who was the divers' intermediary with Swedish authorities, to Dagens Nyheter.

It's a bit like a frozen moment from the 1850s lying there on the bottom, says Rönnby, who is the head of the maritime archaeological research institute Maris.

Ancient relic or not?

The County Administrative Board in Kalmar County is currently investigating whether the wreck should be considered an ancient relic.

Shipwrecks that sank before 1850 within Swedish territorial waters are considered ancient relics and may therefore not be damaged or moved. Violations of the law can result in fines or imprisonment.

Wrecks that are younger than 1850 can also be granted the status of ancient relic if they are deemed to have historical value.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Water Restored in Solna and Sundbyberg After Leak

Water Restored in Solna and Sundbyberg After Leak

Suspected Dangerous Object Found in Stockholm Prompts Investigation

Suspected Dangerous Object Found in Stockholm Prompts Investigation

Man Stabbed to Avoid Military Service Fined Along with Accomplice

Man Stabbed to Avoid Military Service Fined Along with Accomplice

Psilocybin from Mushrooms Tested for Anorexia Treatment in Pilot Study

Psilocybin from Mushrooms Tested for Anorexia Treatment in Pilot Study

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Kramfors Residents Urged to Boil Drinking Water Due to Contamination

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Uddevalla Municipality Files Police Report on Home Care Service Issues

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Girl in Bålsta Suspected of Planning School Murder

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Seven Detained in Major Raid on Waterpipe Tobacco Tax Evasion Network

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Police Confident in Reversing Gang Violence Trend

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Three Swedes Arrested in Portugal for Elderly Fraud Scheme

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Sweden Boosts Civil Defense Budget by 3 Billion Kronor

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Four Sentenced to Prison for Taking Girl Abroad Against Her Will

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Protest Near Stockholm Jewish School Targets Israeli Soldier

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Opposition Parties Blocked from Summoning Migration Minister to Committee

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Decent Jeans Now Permitted in Parliament Dress Code Update

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Hungary Responds to Kristersson's Criticism: Sweden Is Also Lying

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District

Live Hand Grenade Found in Malmö's Hyllie District

Government to Invest 4.3 Billion Kronor in Schools Next Year

Government to Invest 4.3 Billion Kronor in Schools Next Year

Sweden's Agenda 2030 Efforts Face Criticism for Lack of Direction

Sweden's Agenda 2030 Efforts Face Criticism for Lack of Direction

Only One of 80 Large Shelters in Sweden Upgraded

Only One of 80 Large Shelters in Sweden Upgraded