The Jutholmen wreck is the remains of a merchant vessel built in the second half of the 17th century, located on 13 meters depth near the island of Jutholmen. The ship was an approximately 25 meter long and 6.5 meter wide flute ship, a ship type originating in the Netherlands. During the 16th century, and the centuries that followed, dominating the Dutch shipbuilding tradition, and a Dutchman would have called Jutholmswraket for “bootje”, “bus” or small “flute”.
Salvage operations were carried out quite soon after the sinking. Looking closely at the knees that supported the deck you can see saw marks – traces of salvage work. In addition to the cargo, rigs, anchors and other equipment were salvaged to be used on other ships.
Story of sinking
The ship sank around the year 1700. She was loaded with tar, wood and iron and probably on her way from a Swedish port with export goods from the iron and forest industry.
The wreck is not identified, but it may be the ship De Vrede. This sank off Dalarö in September 1700 when sailing from Stockholm to the Netherlands with about 200 tonnes of bar iron. However, some artefacts in the Jutholmen wreck indicate that the wreck is somewhat younger.
Discovery
Jutholmsvraket was found by sports diver in 1965. Excavations were made in the 1970s. On board the wreck there wer ceramic vessels, wine glasses, copper coins, clay pipes, cannon balls, and bottles. In addition, the archaeologists found gold rings, brass buttons, objects decorated with amber and precious porcelain with Chinese decor. The findings indicate that there may have been noble passengers on board.
Archaeological investigations were also made in 2008. This time to perform a documentation of the excavated hull.
Interesting facts There are written sources from the 1600s and 1700s describing salvages made using diving bells. Probably this method was used at the Jutholmen wreck.