The shipwrecks were discovered by maritime archaeologists off shore Stockholm, Sweden. One is believed to be a cog from the 14th or 15th century. The other one dates back to the 16th century.

The wreck of the cog is partially submerged in the mud on the seabed and measures around 23-25 metres long and seven metres wide. Onboard the other shipwreck, estimated to be from the 16th century, a number of 20 barrels of osmond iron, kitchen utensils and tools were found. Osmond iron  was wrought iron (iron alloy with a very low carbon, less than 0.08%, content in contrast) made by a particular process. The National Maritime Museums officials said the extent of the iron found was unprecedented in previous maritime findings.

The exact location of the wrecks has not been revealed. The discovery was made just before Christmas while the archaeologists were diving in the archipelago to take pictures and gather material for the planned maritime archaeological museum “Treasures of the Baltic Sea”, which is scheduled to open in 2020 next to the Vasa Museum on Djurgården island in Stockholm.

(after Mikael Fredholm, Jim Hansson & Swedish National Maritime Museums)