A team of Polish divers from the group Baltictech discovered the wreckage of a 19th-century sailing ship off the Swedish coast with hundreds of still-sealed bottles of champagne. The divers nearly missed the trove of bubbly as they were returning from another dive when they stumbled upon the wreck, which was filled with luxury items including champagne, porcelain, and mineral water. The brand of the champagne is still to be determined, but the mineral water brand, Selters, imprinted on the bottles, is still in existence today. The team believes the goods were headed for the royal table in Stockholm or the Russian tsar’s residence when the ship sank in the second half of the 19th century.
The discovery of the Champagne bottles in the wreck is considered a significant find, as it is rare to come across such a large cache of well-preserved cargo. Historians believe the Champagne bottles were produced between 1850 and 1867, making them just a few years younger than the oldest bottle of champagne known to exist. While the specific brand of the champagne is unknown, the team’s leader, Tomasz Stachura, is confident that the trove is in good condition due to the preservation of the wreckage at the depth where it was found. The team believes the Champagne may have been intended for royalty due to the high-quality items found alongside it in the wreck.
The divers were initially drawn to the wreck by what appeared to be a sunken fishing boat 190 feet below the surface. Upon further inspection, they discovered a wealth of luxury items, including champagne, porcelain, and mineral water. The team was surprised by the sheer volume of cargo found in the wreck, as it is rare to come across such large quantities of intact items in a shipwreck. The discovery of the Champagne in the wreck is particularly notable, as it adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the origins and destination of the ship and its cargo.
The team’s leader, Tomasz Stachura, who has been diving for 40 years, stated that while it is not uncommon to find a bottle or two in a wreck, discovering such a large amount of cargo was a first for him. The Champagne bottles, along with the other luxury items found in the wreck, paint a picture of the opulence and extravagance of the era in which the ship sailed. The team is still working to determine the specific brand of Champagne found in the wreck, but the letter R could be seen on one of the corks.
The discovery of the Champagne bottles in the 19th-century wreck off the coast of Sweden is a testament to the team’s dedication and expertise in underwater exploration. The divers from Baltictech stumbled upon the trove of bubbly while returning from another dive and were initially drawn to the wreckage by what appeared to be a sunken fishing boat. The team’s leader, Tomasz Stachura, is confident that the Champagne trove is in good condition due to the preservation of the wreckage at the depth where it was found. The team is working to determine the specific brand of Champagne found in the wreck and believes the goods were intended for royal consumption.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Champagne bottles in the 19th-century shipwreck off the coast of Sweden is a remarkable find that sheds light on the opulence and extravagance of the era. The team of Polish divers from Baltictech stumbled upon the trove of bubbly while returning from another dive and were initially drawn to the wreckage by what appeared to be a sunken fishing boat. The Champagne bottles, along with the other luxury items found in the wreck, offer a glimpse into the past and the high society of the time. The team continues to work on identifying the specific brand of Champagne found in the wreck and further exploring the mysteries surrounding the origins and destination of the ship and its cargo.
