Nepolina

Nepolina was built in the early 1860s on the island of Stora Bonden in Stockholm’s outer archipelago. The boat was clinker-built in pine and measured about 14 metres long.

On the morning of 8 April 1913, Neoplina had left Stavsnäs en route to Stockholm with a cargo of sand. But after a collision with Linnea, another boat, Nepolina sank. The crew barely managed to rescue themselves and get ashore.

In the spring of 1996, the Maritime Museum got a tip that Nepolina probably sank in the strait between Stavnäslandet and the island of Runö in Värmdö Municipality. Maritime archaeologists used a side scan sonar to try and locate the wreck. The result proved to be beyond expectations.

Right during the first passage through the strait, the sonar registered a wreck at a depth of about 40 metres. The clear echo indicated that the wreck was well preserved, which the divers could later confirm. They said that time had almost stood still in the deep, dark waters.

The sand remains in the cargo hold, the gangplank is pulled in, the wheelbarrow and spades stand ready for use and the hull is in surprisingly good condition. The mast, boom and gaff have fallen down over the wreck, but the windlass, tiller and rudder remain in their original positions. Block pulleys, deadeyes and other equipment lie scattered across the wreck.

Despite discussions about salvaging Nepolina, the wreck still remains in the strait between Stavsnäslandet and Runö.