Fyrspännaren

In 1963 the wreck was discovered by recreational divers, who also examined the wreck under the direction of the Maritime Museum. The museum took the more than 260 salvaged objects into its care, and the wreck was documented.

The bow rests against underwater rocks while the stern has sunk into the bottom sediment. The sediment is anaerobic and degradation proceeds slowly. This means that the aft section has fared better than the bow. The lower part of the ship’s hull is clinker-built.

The ship is probably a so-called hooker. These types of ships were of Dutch origin and were used as fishing vessels and merchant ships.

With the aid of the objects found on the wreck, the ship was dated to the early 1770s. Among other objects, a wooden barrel stamped with a mark that may be from Färna Bruk outside Hallstahammar was found. Other objects from the wreck are a faience plate from Rörstrand made in 1744 and a bit brace handle engraved with the year 1761. A creamware plate from Marieberg’s faience factory can be dated to the period 1769–1782 using this stamp. In addition, silver coins, buckles, fine textiles and buttons were found.

The Maritime Museum’s archives contain documents showing that one of the finders received a finder’s fee when they handed in some of the items. The fee was apparently 400 kronor, and it is said that this is how the wreck got its provisional name, Fyrspännaren.