The ship cemetery at Ekenabben is located in the Djupasund strait between the islands of Sturkö and Tjurkö in the Blekinge archipelago in southern Sweden. The ship cemetery consists of around 20 wrecks from 1550 - 1650 that were sunk at the end of the 18th and beginning of 19th century to create an underwater barrier and prevent ships' entry to Karlskrona, host to the Karlskrona naval base, Sweden's largest naval base.
History
During the end of the 18th and early 19th century several ships were deliberately sunk in the Djupasund strait to create a barrier to entry to Karlskrona. This was done after a Russian frigate had been spotted far in the archipelago. Around 20 wrecks are considered to be located in the strait, out of which six have been identified.
Mapping of the wrecks
Since Karlskrona was founded in 1680 around 60 ships have been deliberately sunk in different locations in the archipelago. Between 2020 and 2022 the wrecks in the Djupasund were mapped on behalf of the Blekinge Regional Council, the Blekinge County Council, and the Karlskrona Municipality as part of a wreck-mapping project. The project was started to spread knowledge about Karlskrona's naval history after it was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1998, to create a park for recreational diving, and strengthen tourism in Blekinge.
Ship of the line Södermanland/Grip/Gripen
The ship of the line Södermanland was built in Stockholm and launched in 1749. The ship was around 42 meters long and 11.3 meters wide, with 50-54 canons. 1777 the upper deck was removed and she was converted into a frigate and renamed Grip (later Gripen). She then had 44 canons. In 1810 she was sunk in Djupasund strait.
Ship of the line Enigheten/Kung Fredrik
The ship of the line Enigheten with 94 canons was built in 1696 by Charles Sheldon in Karlskrona, rebuilt in 1730 and two years later renamed Kung Fredrik (King Fredrik). Enigheten participated in naval expeditions against Denmark in 1700, at the 1710 Battle of Køge Bay, and at the 1715 Battle of Rügen. She was rebuilt in 1768 and ultimately sunk in the Djupasund strait in 1785.
Ship of the line Wasa
The ship of the line Wasa was built in Karlskrona in 1778. She participated in battles as part of the naval campaign during the Russo-Swedish War (1788–1790). The Swedish East India Company used Wasa during their voyage to China 1803 - 1805, and after that the ship was rebought by the Swedish navy in 1808. She was ultimately sunk in the Djupasund strait in 1836. Wasa is not to be confused with the Swedish galleon Vasa from 1627.
Archipelago frigate Disa
Disa was a smaller kind of archipelago frigate predominantly meant for use closer to the coast. Disa was 23,75 meters long and 5,5 meters wide. Her crew numbered 105 men and she carried 18 canons.
Crown yacht Simpan
No known information remains about the ship's use or when it was built.
Brigantine Pollux
The brigantine Pollux was a two-masted sailing vessel launched in Karlskrona. She was 28,5 meters long and 7,1 meters wide, with 18 light canons. She was sunk in the Djupasund strait in 1785.
Sport diving
Several of the wrecks in the ship cemetery are attractive dive sites for recreational divers, and most of the wrecks are relatively accessible from the harbour of Ekenabben. The ship cemetery lies at a depth of 12 meters on a bottom of sand and stone. In some places the oak timber from the wreck stands up several meters from the bottom. The wrecks lay in an east-western direction and span across the Djupasund strait. However, as the wreck cemetery is close to the active fishing port of Ekenabben diver down flags should be used, and escort boats are recommended.
The project to map the wrecks was done as a first step in the development of a planned scuba diving park. When finished the aim is that divers will be guided among the wrecks by signs. In the port of Ekenabben there is an exhibition with information signs about the ship cemetery and the six identified wrecks.