Chernomorets
Rescue Archaeological Survey of a Shipwreck in the Territorial Waters (Internal Maritime Waters) Adjacent to the Town of Chernomorets, Municipality of Sozopol
The site was identified using remote sensing methods during preliminary archaeological investigations related to the construction of Chernomorets Port in November 2014.
The shipwreck is located at coordinates N 42°26’52.29 and E 27°38’18.95; it lies at a depth of 4.5 m and covers a total area of approximately 50 x 50 m or 2,500 m². The site consists of two massive sections of a wooden hull and a surrounding scatter field of remains. The two fragments are coherent and mark the centreline of a wooden sailing vessel with a keel length of 36 m. The vessel rests on an even keel and is oriented southwest–northeast (bow–stern) with a 50° deviation.
Based on its morphology, the site was divided into three main parts – Sector 1, Sector 2, and the Scatter Zone.
Sector 1
This is a massive bow section of the wooden hull – keel, framing, and starboard side – preserved up to the turn of the bilge, with cargo of bricks in situ. The section’s total length is 30.2 m, with a maximum width of 6.3 m. The keel is composite (at least three elements) and heavily fragmented, made of solid oak and sheathed with copper plates. Impact damage at the bow has caused significant deformation of the sheathing and breakage of the keel beam.
A total of 36 frame timbers were recorded, preserved up to the third and fourth futtocks. These overlapping oak elements are joined with brass bolts riveted on one side. The frames are 30 cm thick, with inter-frame spacing of 20 cm. Longitudinal limber holes are present at the lower ends of the floors on both sides of the keel. Between the frames above the keel are square chocks with transverse limber holes. A partially preserved oak keelson was identified between the bow and frame No. 10. Due to poor condition, no mast steps were identified.
A port stringer made of oak is preserved 1.5 m to the right of the keel. Beneath the brick cargo, three inner planking elements are preserved. The outer hull planking consists of long, well-formed beams of white pine. The garboard strake is made of oak beams, the largest of which exceed 10 m in length. The hull fastenings include three types: wooden dowels (made of cornelian cherry), brass bolts, and brass wedges.
At the bow, a concentration of coal (likely used as fuel) was found between frames No. 1 and No. 15, and in the scatter around the bow. Traces of burning were observed on the inner surface of the garboard strakes.
The cargo, located in the midship section, consists of a mound of bricks measuring approximately 10 x 3 x 1.5 m. The bricks are stacked in 31 rows in length, 4–6 rows in height, and up to 18 rows in width. Their average dimensions are 26 x 13 x 6 cm, with minor variations. Manufactured in wooden moulds, they display numerous small defects but are of generally high quality. Silicate analysis and high chamotte content confirm that they are firebricks.
Aside from the cargo and coal, the artefacts include fastening elements and remains of two deck hatches. Noteworthy is a three-sheave wooden block with a hook found near the bow.
Sector 2
This sector is a large hull fragment – part of the framing and the stern section of the port side – preserved up to the main deck. The total length is 17.4 m, with a preserved width of 6.5 m. Twenty-six frame timbers and elements of the ship’s outer and inner planking were documented. The construction is consistent with that of Sector 1. After frame No. 52, the ribs are set at an angle to the vessel’s centreline, with the angle increasing toward the stern. Frame spacing diminishes and disappears after No. 56, shaping the stern curvature.
The outer planking is identical to that in Sector 1. The inner planking is better preserved and made of softwood – pine or fir – with traces of white paint. A massive three-part shelf beam is well preserved between the first and second starboard stringers. It contains three notches for deck beams, marking the main deck level. No sternpost, afterstem, or other principal elements of the stern construction were found.
Artefacts in this sector include fasteners and small, undiagnostic ceramic fragments.
Scatter Zone
The scatter covers the entire area of the site, with the highest artefact concentration between Sectors 1 and 2. Notable finds include two fragments of English porcelain with transfer print decoration (mid to late 19th century) and a two-sheave wooden block with a hook and attached rope. Among the structural elements in the scatter, significant are a fragment of bulwark with a caprail and an inner sternpost found north of Sector 1.
Interpretation
During artefact analysis, three of the fasteners were found stamped with the Latin inscription STABTO TECNICO TRIESTINO – the logo of the Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino shipyard, which operated from 1837 to 1897 in Trieste (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). This helped clarify key aspects of the archaeological site.
The ship in St. Nicholas Bay was a wooden cargo sailing vessel – a schooner, brigantine, or brig – built in the second quarter of the 19th century. The available evidence suggests a construction date between 1837 and 1850, with a terminus post quem of 1837. The artefacts, particularly the English porcelain, support this hypothesis, indicating the ship was in use during the decades following 1840.
The date of the vessel’s loss remains uncertain. It is clear, however, that the ship did not sink in the bay but ended up there (either driven ashore or stranded) due to stormy conditions and impact with underwater rocks. This is evidenced by its dimensions—intact, the hull would have exceeded 4 m in height and thus would have been visible above the waterline. We propose a hypothesis that the incident occurred before or during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, with a secure terminus ante quem of 6 January 1907, based on a photograph of the bay taken on that date in which the wreck is not visible.
Text by Dr. Dragomir Garbov
