Ph.D. Patrik Höglund

Title of the presentation: The Lost Navy.

Mapping, Researching and Visualizing the Swedish Navy 1450-1850 At Vrak – Museum of Wrecks, we take the visitors on a deep dive among the wrecks and remains of the Baltic Sea. This is achieved by presenting wrecks and artefacts in digital form. In situ preservation and new methods for creating 3D models gives us new possibilities for educating and engaging the audiences with the purpose of making the experience magic by using the authentic. In the depths of the Baltic lies a large number of well-preserved wooden wrecks of swedish naval ships. Some have been sunk in battle or by accident, but many have been deliberately scuttled around ports or as foundations for bridges and quays. The research program The Lost Navy maps, documents and researches the Swedish navy of circa 1450–1850. During this period, the Swedish navy consisted of sailing ships. There is information on over 950 ships, of which many still are preserved on the seabed, but only a few of these have been archaeologically examined and documented. Now, the vessels are identified, researched and visualized with maritime archaeological and other methods using both written sources and archaeological finds. Vrak – Museum of Wrecks, is a new maritime archaeological museum in Stockholm. The exhibitions at Vrak take the visitors on an exciting journey through time. They will experience dramatic events hidden behind the world-unique cultural heritage that is preserved beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea. Patrik Höglund is research coordinator for maritime archaeology and Marco Ali is a project leader and maritime archaeologist at Vrak-Museum of Wrecks.