Swedish Navy Shipwreck 'Svärdet' of 1676 with 86 Pieces of Cannon Discovered!

Jim McDougall · 18th November 2011, 03:00 PM

Michael thank you so much for this update and photos! Artillery has never really been one of my fields of study, but on many occasions I have had the opportunity to learn a little from events much like this. I recall in California years ago when several cannon washed onto the beach near Goleta. For some years afterward there was a great deal of furor over what nationality these were, and even suggestions they may have been Sir Francis Drake's.
I believe eventually it was discovered they were much more recent, but the course of research was fascinating.

I was inspired by your entry here to seek more on the cannon from Swedish ships of this period, and naturally the most prominant example is the amazing recovery, restoration and display of the warship 'Vasa'. I found interesting notations etc. but as yet could not find the wonderful line drawings often shown which depict the often amazing detail in producing these powerful weapons. In the search I did it reminded me of how extremely important such ordnance was in the warfare through history, and how much you yourself have done to study, learn and preserve that history.
You truly are the ordnance master and steward of its history!

Thank you so much Michael!

All best,
Jim

M ELEY · 19th November 2011, 02:10 AM

Awesome pics of this interesting wreck! Yea! No 'sea worms"! That means a preserved site without all the contents spewn about. Hopefully there will be more on the artifacts as they're retrieved.

Matchlock · 19th November 2011, 03:12 AM

Hi Mark,

I guess that's what we all hope for!

The wreck definitely seems to be preserved in astonishingly fine condition - with at least some of the cannon hatches still open - imagine!!! That would imply that that warship was sunken in action!

I'm afraid though it will take (

) years to get provided with more information - considering the both 'official' and 'restoration related relevant' way: things like this are supposed to go their usually slow administrative procedure ...

Anyway, before you came in on this I was afraid very few of the community would care ...

Thanks, and best,
Michael

M ELEY · 19th November 2011, 11:37 AM

That second site you list about the actual battle is simply amazing. Hard to imagine captains who chose to go down with the ship. Thanks for posting this, Michael. I do love nautical history.

fernando · 19th November 2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Hard to imagine captains who chose to go down with the ship...

Yeah, this is one of such issues !

Does it have to do with old time values?
... I mean, would captains do the same today?

At same time, were they expected to do that in the old days? A sort of "compulsive expectation", i mean.
As i don't think anybody would expect them to do that at present

.

Rick · 19th November 2011, 05:46 PM

The action report is disastrous; a compounding of errors, and with a lee shore at hand .

Perhaps staying with the ship would have been preferable for one's family and honor than a board of inquiry after the fact .

Another interesting thing; it's the lower gun ports; if I recall correctly both the Vasa and Mary Rose were at least partial victims to open lower gun ports .

Matchlock · 19th November 2011, 06:24 PM

This vivid painting, depicting the moment when the powder magazine exploded, was executed 10 years after the tragedy of 1676. Svärdet is seen on the right, engaged on both sides.

The other images show a model of Kronan, the battlefield site of 1676, and artefacts salvaged from the wreck of Kronan, such as cannon, matchlock and flintlock (?) muskets and musical instruments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kronan_%28ship%29

Best,
Michael

19th November 2011, 03:12 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Mark, I guess that's what we all hope for! The wreck definitely seems to be preserved in astonishingly fine condition - with at least some of the cannon hatches still open - imagine!!! That would imply that that warship was sunken in action! I'm afraid though it will take ( ) years to get provided with more information - considering the both 'official' and 'restoration related relevant' way: things like this are supposed to go their usually slow administrative procedure ... Anyway, before you came in on this I was afraid very few of the community would care ... Thanks, and best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 19th November 2011 at 07:21 AM.

19th November 2011, 06:24 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The Sinking of Kronan - Painting of 1686 ! This vivid painting, depicting the moment when the powder magazine exploded, was executed 10 years after the tragedy of 1676. Svärdet is seen on the right, engaged on both sides. The other images show a model of Kronan, the battlefield site of 1676, and artefacts salvaged from the wreck of Kronan, such as cannon, matchlock and flintlock (?) muskets and musical instruments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kronan_%28ship%29 Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 19th November 2011 at 07:07 PM.

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18th November 2011, 03:00 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,474	Michael thank you so much for this update and photos! Artillery has never really been one of my fields of study, but on many occasions I have had the opportunity to learn a little from events much like this. I recall in California years ago when several cannon washed onto the beach near Goleta. For some years afterward there was a great deal of furor over what nationality these were, and even suggestions they may have been Sir Francis Drake's. I believe eventually it was discovered they were much more recent, but the course of research was fascinating. I was inspired by your entry here to seek more on the cannon from Swedish ships of this period, and naturally the most prominant example is the amazing recovery, restoration and display of the warship 'Vasa'. I found interesting notations etc. but as yet could not find the wonderful line drawings often shown which depict the often amazing detail in producing these powerful weapons. In the search I did it reminded me of how extremely important such ordnance was in the warfare through history, and how much you yourself have done to study, learn and preserve that history. You truly are the ordnance master and steward of its history! Thank you so much Michael! All best, Jim

19th November 2011, 02:10 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Awesome pics of this interesting wreck! Yea! No 'sea worms"! That means a preserved site without all the contents spewn about. Hopefully there will be more on the artifacts as they're retrieved.

19th November 2011, 11:37 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	That second site you list about the actual battle is simply amazing. Hard to imagine captains who chose to go down with the ship. Thanks for posting this, Michael. I do love nautical history.

19th November 2011, 05:46 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,348	The action report is disastrous; a compounding of errors, and with a lee shore at hand . Perhaps staying with the ship would have been preferable for one's family and honor than a board of inquiry after the fact . Another interesting thing; it's the lower gun ports; if I recall correctly both the Vasa and Mary Rose were at least partial victims to open lower gun ports .