Roskilde Harbour Wreck 2, c. 1185

Country: Denmark

Place: Roskilde harbour, at the head of Roskilde Fjord

Coordinates (approximate): 55.6500, 12.0810 (locality only)

Type: Clinker-built seagoing cargo vessel

Identified: No

Dated: Built c. AD 1185, by dendrochronology; lost a few years later

 

Beam: About 4.5 m

Keel Length: Unknown.

Length Overall: About 16.5 m

Number of Masts: Unknown.

 

History of the wreck

Roskilde Harbour Wreck 2 was found in 1996-1997 during archaeological monitoring of the construction of the Viking Ship Museum’s harbour. It sank near the head of Roskilde Fjord and seems to have been only a few years old when it was lost.

Dendrochronological and structural evidence indicates that it was built around AD 1185, probably in western Sweden. The vessel had received only limited repairs and was not heavily worn.

 

Description of the site

The wreck was found in Roskilde’s medieval harbour area at the end of the fjord. The coordinates mark the harbour.

 

Cargo

Not reported.

 

Ballast

Not reported.

 

Anchors

Not reported.

 

Guns

Not applicable.

 

Iron concretions

Not reported.

 

Hull Remains

About 30% of the hull survives. Its sharp underwater body and clinker planking indicate a capable seagoing cargo vessel, not a flat-bottomed cog.

 

Keel, keelson and mast step

Recesses are cut in the keel to receive the roves of the rivets fastening the garboards (keel boards).

 

Frames

The floor timbers are fastened to the keel with wooden dowels, an unusual detail.

 

Planking

Clinker-built.

 

Ceiling, thick stuff, and wales

Not reported.

 

Caulking

Not reported.

 

Size and scantlings

Length about 16.5 m; beam about 4.5 m; draught about 1.1 m.

 

Wood

Oak and pine.

 

Bibliography

Viking Ship Museum. Maritime archaeology reports: Roskilde Harbour Wreck 2. [Full reference to be completed.]