International Courant
When divers within the Baltic Sea first noticed the wreck on sonar, they thought it was a fishing boat.
However once they went to look, they discovered a Nineteenth-century crusing ship, ‘loaded to the brim’ with champagne, wine, mineral water and porcelain.
Greater than 100 bottles of champagne had been discovered within the wreck, off the coast of Sweden.
And now Tomasz Stachura of the Polish diving group Baltitech thinks the cargo may very well be destined for a Russian tsar.
Baltitech, which specialises in investigating shipwrecks within the Baltic Sea, described the discover as a “treasure”.
Mr. Stachura, the staff chief, mentioned: “I have been diving for 40 years. Now and again you see one or two tanks.
“However I’ve by no means seen crates of bottles of alcohol and baskets of water like this.”
The invention was made roughly 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of the Swedish island of Öland.
Two divers had mentioned they’d make a “fast dive” however had been then gone for nearly two hours.
“So we already knew there was one thing very attention-grabbing on the backside,” Mr. Stachura added.
Utilizing the clay bottles marked with the mark of the German firm Selters, they had been in a position to date the wreck between 1850 and 1867.
Whereas champagne could be extra attention-grabbing to many as we speak, mineral water was an unique product that was “handled virtually like medication” and “solely discovered its technique to royal tables,” Mr. Stachura mentioned.
“Its worth was so nice that the transports had been escorted by the police.”
Mr Stachura informed the BBC he believes the products had been destined for the desk of Russian Tsar Nicholas I, who is claimed to have misplaced certainly one of his ships within the space in 1852.
“That might clarify why the ship was carrying this cargo, which was all very unique,” he mentioned.
“Once we discover wrecks, the freight is often very low cost.”
He thinks the ship sailed throughout the Baltic Sea to Stockholm or St. Petersburg, which might additionally match the speculation.
“A dive itself is just 20 minutes,” he mentioned. “However diving into the archives is what could be much more attention-grabbing.
“Perhaps sooner or later we’ll know extra about this wreck.”
As for Champagne and the distinguished mineral water, Mr. Stachura believes each could be drinkable as we speak.
For now, the treasure will stay the place it’s, with underwater archaeologists referred to as in to assist. Swedish authorities have been notified and there’s additionally paperwork to be carried out earlier than it may be delivered to the floor.
“It has been there for 170 years, so let or not it’s there for an additional 12 months,” Mr. Stachura mentioned.
Wine professional Henry Jeffreys, creator of Empire of Booze, mentioned: “Champagne was typically quite a bit sweeter within the Nineteenth century.
“And when it went to the Russian market, they favored it very, very candy. Russia was the most important marketplace for champagne on the time. In London, they most well-liked it drier.”
Brandy was generally added to champagne on the time, he mentioned. This, together with the sugar, would have helped protect it.
And the circumstances – 58 metres underwater, within the chilly and darkness – had been excellent for the bottles.
“If you wish to maintain Champagne for greater than 150 years, the underside of the ocean is an excellent place,” Jeffreys mentioned.
Relying on the situation of the corks, the champagne should be “tasty,” he added, though the fizz has doubtless gone.
100 bottles of champagne present in Nineteenth century shipwreck
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