Discovery of Sunken Slave Ships Reveals Historical Meuterei

København - Recent archaeological findings off the coast of Costa Rica have uncovered the wrecks of two Danish slave ships that sank in 1710. These vessels, which were originally tasked with transporting 840 African individuals to the Caribbean, met their demise following a mutiny among the enslaved crew.

In 2015, marine archaeologists from the United States first identified these ships, which were found to be carrying distinctive yellow bricks. This unique cargo piqued the interest of Danish scholars, leading to further investigation. Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch from the Danish National Museum confirmed that the bricks were indeed Flensburger Ziegel, a type of brick used exclusively by Denmark at that time.

Additionally, researchers were able to date the wood used in the ship's construction. Analysis revealed that the timber was harvested from the western Baltic Sea between 1690 and 1695, while various artifacts, such as Dutch clay pipes, dated back to the early 1700s. This timeline aligns perfectly with the shipping activities of the vessel, which set sail in 1708 before its tragic sinking two years later.

During the early 18th century, Denmark held several colonies in the Caribbean, including the present-day U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. John. The ships Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus were part of Denmark's efforts to transport enslaved Africans to these islands. However, miscalculations by the captain resulted in both ships drifting approximately 2,000 kilometers off course, leading to a critical shortage of provisions.

As desperation grew, a violent mutiny ensued aboard the Fridericus Quartus, culminating in a fire that compromised the vessel. The Christianus Quintus, trying to escape the situation, cut its anchor and connections but ultimately sank just a kilometer away from its sister ship.

The discovery of these wrecks has raised important questions about preservation and heritage. Experts have decided that the ships will remain where they are, with no plans for recovery or excavation. According to Kallmeyer Bloch, the Costa Rican authorities will determine the future of the site, while the archaeological team is satisfied to contribute to the understanding of this historical event.