Dannebrogen 1710 under water archaeology

1988 we brought our equipment to the  port of Köge in Denmark, and mobilized for a shorter expedition, investigating the wreck of Dannebrogen (1710). History In short, the Danish fleet were at anchor in Köge bay, The Swedish navy attacked, and it was a very poor result for the aggressors. Dannebrogen opened fire but her firing against the Swedes in strong wind sat her rig ablaze, later her 15 ton powder magazine exploded and she sank at 12 meters depth. She was the main loss for the Danish fleet in this battle. The Swedish fleet lost two men of war, (Tre Kronor & Prinsessan Ulrika Eleonora), these vessels ran aground during failed manoeuvring and then sat on fire(by the Swedes) not to end up in the enemy's hands. This was subsequently a very "lame" battle if you even could call it that?


1988 tog vi vår utrustning till Köge hamn I Danmark. Där mobiliserade vi för en kortare expedition, en arkeologisk undersökning av vraket Dannebrogen (1710). En kort historiebeskrivning. Den Danska flottan låg till ankars I Köge bukten när den Svenska flottan attackerade med ett mycket dåligt resultat. Dannebrogen avfyrade sina kanoner emot Svenskarna I den starka vinden och mynningsflammorna antände den egna riggen. snart exploderade hennes 15 ton tunga krutförråd och hon sjunker på 12 meters djup. Hon var den enda stora förlusten för Danskarna, emedan Svenskarna förlorade 2 skepp(Tre Kronor & Ulrika Eleonora) dessa båda fartyg grundstötte vid vändningar, och sattes I brand av Svenskarna själva för att inte hamna I Danskarnas hander. Det var således ett mycket tamt sjöslag, om man nu kan kalla det för ett slag.

 Model of Dannebrogen When we visited the Töjhus museum in Copenhagen

How the wreck site looked like on our dive -88

 On the bridge on board Altair

 Port of Köge, alongside mobilising. Fishing vessel "Waldemar" astern of us, also involved in the exploration. From this berthing about 200 mtr to the "night life", which was thoroughly enjoyed.

Danish working regulations, stipulated that we "amateur" divers had to be diving with "professionally" working divers.
So we were paired up, one plus one. Not only that, we were also required to be diving with a "signalling line" to the surface. We Kronan divers reacted negative to this. In our opinion the line would increase the risk of entanglement, together with the bridle holding the suction hose, limitation of visibility and strong current. Photo above, rescue diver and on the right side, three people holding signalling lines to divers working below.

Vessel Tekla(left), recovering a cannon(half cannon"36 pound") that was found 200 meters from the wreck sight. probably broke on the impact with the cold water, after being "heated up" by the fire on board prior to the explosion that sent it flying.

Cannon alongside "airborne" again 303 years since last time.

Erik with his cupper kettle, he worked hard on releasing it "from the deep"

Refreshing ventilation between dives...Waldemar, Altair and Tekla in the back ground.

Altair crew/families enjoying a "little one" after "all made fast" Köge (mooring whiskey)

Final dinner on board with all divers and crew, end of a successful campaign, cosy Danish atmosphere. 

Yes, Lars Einarsson, (Kronan) visiting and diving as well. Below a little "Sing along" to round it off.