Kalverev Syd, c. 1250-1265

Country: Denmark

Place: Storstrømmen, off Masnedø

Coordinates (approximate): 54.9766, 11.8714 (locality only)

Type: Clinker-built Nordic cargo vessel

Identified: No

Dated: c. AD 1250-1265, by dendrochronology

 

Beam: Surviving width about 2.5 m

Keel Length: Unknown.

Length Overall: Surviving length about 10 m

Number of Masts: Unknown.

 

History of the wreck

Maritime archaeologists found Kalverev Syd during investigations for the new Storstrøm Bridge. The timbers were protected with sandbags before being excavated and recovered by an international team led by the Viking Ship Museum.

Dendrochronology dated the vessel to about AD 1250-1265. Its construction stands between the lighter Viking-Age hulls and the heavier cargo ships of the high Middle Ages. The timbers were taken to Roskilde for three-dimensional scanning and study.

 

Description of the site

The wreck was buried under about 1.4 m of sand and silt in Storstrømmen off Masnedø. The coordinates mark the bridge-corridor locality.

 

Cargo

Not reported.

 

Ballast

Not reported.

 

Anchors

Not reported.

 

Guns

Not applicable.

 

Iron concretions

Not reported.

 

Hull Remains

The surviving fragment is about 10 m long and 2.5 m wide, from the sixth (loose) port strake across the keel to the second starboard strake. The original dimensions have not yet been securely reconstructed.

 

Keel, keelson and mast step

The keel is T-shaped, with wings supporting the garboards.

 

Frames

Fifteen frame stations were identified, with four floor timbers still in place. The frames were fastened with treenails.

 

Planking

Clinker-built. The planks are up to about 30 cm wide and slightly more than 2 cm thick, joined to each other and to the keel with round-shanked rivets and square roves.

 

Ceiling, thick stuff, and wales

Not reported.

 

Caulking

Not reported.

 

Size and scantlings

Surviving fragment about 10 x 2.5 m; 15 frame stations; planks up to about 30 cm wide and slightly over 2 cm thick.

 

Wood

Not reported.

 

Bibliography

Viking Ship Museum. “Medieval ship from Kalverev.” [Full reference to be completed.]