Wrecks & Archaeology

The wreck was located approximately 60 miles (~97km) northwest of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior. Utilising Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar aboard their research vessel, the David Boyd, the GLSHS team made the initial discovery in late summer 2024. Subsequent deployments of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) confirmed the ship's identity, revealing that the vessel had broken in two, with the bow section resting atop the stern in approximately 600ft (~183m) of water.

The wreck, known as Wreck 5, measures approximately 35 metres long and 10 metres wide. Despite centuries underwater, parts of its structure remain remarkably intact. “The ship’s frame still rises high above the seabed, and in the stern, both the sternpost and rudder remain upright,” said Håkan Altrock, museum curator and the project manager overseeing the investigation.

The Brazilian Navy has officially confirmed the discovery of the Vital de Oliveira, the only Brazilian military vessel sunk by enemy action during World War II. The wreck was located 65km off the coast of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, marking a significant milestone in underwater archaeology.

Traditional methods for conserving waterlogged wood involve lengthy processes like freeze-drying or replacing water with pressurised carbon dioxide, which can lead to brittleness or warping. These techniques aim to remove water that fosters acid-producing bacteria and wood-eating fungi, but they often compromise the artefact's structural integrity.

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and nobleman who was the first European to reach India by sea. The São Jorge was part of da Gama's fleet during his third expedition to India. If confirmed, this discovery would represent one of the earliest European shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean, offering tangible evidence of early Portuguese maritime exploration in East Africa.

The wreck, estimated to be 50 to 60 metres in length, was found on the western side of Kalpeni Island. Coral growth and corrosion suggest the ship has been submerged for several centuries. Artefacts such as a cannon and an anchor have been identified, indicating the vessel's military nature. Researchers suggest that the ship may have belonged to one of the European powers active in the region during that period—Britain, the Netherlands or Portugal.