Shipwreck Full of Champagne Found in Baltic Sea

Polish divers from the BalticTech Team have discovered a 19th-century shipwreck in the Baltic Sea, approximately 20 nautical miles south of Sweden's Öland island, containing a significant cargo of Champagne and mineral water. The divers initially detected the wreck using sonar and were surprised to find it in relatively good condition, filled with crates of Champagne, mineral water, and porcelain. Tomasz Stachura, the leader of the diving team, noted that around 100 bottles were found, although the exact quantity remains uncertain. This discovery is notable as it is uncommon to find such a large number of bottles in a shipwreck. The mineral water bottles were labeled with the name "Selters," a high-end German brand still in existence today, indicating that the cargo may have been intended for a royal dining table, as mineral water was considered medicinal during that era. The ship is believed to have capsized in the latter half of the 19th century, and there are historical connections to Russian elites, particularly Tsar Nicholas I, who reportedly lost a vessel in the area around 1852. The divers plan to conduct further explorations of the wreck and are collaborating with the Maritime Archaeological Research Institute at Södertörn University in Sweden. They are also seeking sponsorship for ongoing research, with plans to share more findings at the Baltictech 2024 Conference in Poland.