Divers Explore Oldest Medieval Warship Found Off Sweden

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

Archaeologists have uncovered Vrak 5, a 15th-century warship near Stockholm, identified as the oldest of its kind found in Swedish or Danish waters and built using the early carvel technique. This discovery offers valuable insights into medieval Scandinavian shipbuilding and naval warfare, with ongoing research aiming to reveal the ship’s construction details, crew life, and circumstances of its sinking.

A 15th-century warship discovered off the coast of Stockholm is providing new insights into Sweden’s maritime history and shipbuilding techniques in the late medieval period. Known as Vrak 5, the vessel is considered the oldest warship found in Swedish or Danish waters.

The shipwreck was located near Haringe Castle, south of Stockholm, where it was first identified in the late 19th century. Researchers dated the ship to the 1480s, with some estimates suggesting it could be as early as the 1460s. The wreck’s discovery was announced after a detailed analysis completed in February 2025.

Leading the excavation is marine archaeologist Hakan Altrock from Sweden’s Museum of Wrecks. He estimates that the ship measured between 40 and 45 metres in length. The timber used in its construction is believed to have originated in what is now southeastern Sweden, though the precise national affiliation of the vessel remains undetermined.

Significantly, Vrak 5 is the earliest known example in Scandinavia of a ship built using the carvel technique, in which hull planks are fitted edge-to-edge instead of overlapping. This method contributed to the construction of larger, more robust ships capable of carrying heavy artillery, marking a notable development in medieval naval technology.

Recent underwater excavations have focused on documenting the ship’s structural features and analyzing its cargo and provisions. Divers employed specialised pumps to clear sediment and uncovered a collection of bricks thought to come from the ship’s galley, as well as fragments of the rigging. Marine archaeology doctoral student Matilda Jarl noted that the crew most likely subsisted on a diet of fish, meat, and porridge, typically cooked in pots on board.

The exact circumstances that led to the ship’s sinking are not yet clear. Historical records include accounts of a fire aboard the vessel, though Altrock suggested the ship may have sunk during a Danish assault on Haringe Castle in 1501. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover evidence of burning and other clues that could clarify the fate of the warship.

Researchers hope that further study of the wreck will shed light on the ship’s construction, its role in regional conflicts, and daily life aboard vessels of this era.

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