Estonia protects 15 historic shipwrecks

Estonia’s culture minister has designated 15 shipwrecks in the country’s waters, each at least 100 years old, as cultural monuments, ERR reported. The wrecks will be protected as archaeological monuments and are considered an important part of Estonia’s underwater cultural heritage.

The wrecks include 12 sailing ships, the destroyer S31, a steamship and the cargo steamer Success. Four lie in the inner sea, nine in territorial waters and two in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone. All are sufficiently well preserved to serve as important archaeological sources.

Culture Minister Heidy Purga said the additions were a significant expansion of the country’s list of protected underwater monuments, which currently contains 122. She said the designation also offered an opportunity to mark the 25th anniversary of UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and underline Estonia’s commitment to preserving its maritime heritage.

Underwater archaeologist Maili Roio of the National Heritage Board said the wrecks could reveal details about shipbuilding, maritime trade, naval affairs and everyday life that written records often cannot provide.

Each protected monument includes the wreck and its associated archaeological layer, including detached parts. The surrounding area may also be a sea grave. A 300-metre-wide protection zone will be established around each monument to assess the impact of planned activities nearby and, if needed, prevent damage.

Protecting the wrecks helps Estonia meet its obligations under the UNESCO convention, which the country joined on February 2, 2021.