Unraveling the Past: Discovery of Weapons Chest Reveals Shift in Maritime Combat Tactics during the Sinking of Gribshunden

Maritime archaeologists in Sweden have recently made a significant discovery on the wreck of a 15th-century warship. The discovery of a hundred-year-old weapons chest has shed light on the fire and explosion that led to the sinking of the Danish king’s flagship, known as the Gribshunden.

The chest, referred to as a “zeuglade,” is believed to have been used by German-speaking mercenaries on board the ship. It contained molds for making lead bullets, lead plates for melting the molds, and a cylindrical box thought to be for shot. This finding highlights the shift from ancient maritime combat techniques to using gunpowder to attack enemies from a distance.

Professor Johan Rönnby and maritime archaeologist Rolf Warming both believe that this discovery is significant in understanding the fate of the ship. They note that it took over a century for tactics and technology to fully develop in maritime warfare. The shipwreck offers valuable insights into the early stages of naval warfare evolution.

The Gribshunden served as the flagship of King Hans of Denmark, who was not on board when the ship sank. It was returning from the Swedish town of Kalmar, where discussions on unifying Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under the Kalmar Union took place. The discovery on the ship could help explain whether the sinking was the result of sabotage or an accident caused by faulty equipment or human error.

Overall, this weapons chest discovery provides a window into the early stages of maritime military technology and tactics, showcasing how direct combat transformed into using gunpowder weapons in warfare.