17th-Century Shipwreck Reveals Artifacts of Danish Slave Trade
Archaeologists recover elite footwear and slave trade currency from the sunken Havmanden frigate.
1Discovery of Havmanden Wreckage
Maritime archaeologists have identified artifacts from the Danish frigate Havmanden, which sank off the Swedish coast near Gothenburg. The ship was involved in a violent 1683 mutiny while transporting convicts and indentured servants to the Caribbean. This discovery provides new physical evidence regarding Denmark's historical role in the transatlantic slave trade.
2Elite Footwear Found Underwater
Divers recovered the rear portion of a man's shoe described as unusually fine and high-quality. Experts note the craftsmanship, including precise perforations, suggests it belonged to a member of the elite class. Researchers hypothesize the shoe may have belonged to Jørgen Iversen Dyppel, the first governor of the Danish West Indies.
3Currency of Human Trafficking
Archaeologists also discovered two manillas, which are ring-shaped metal pieces used as currency in West Africa. European merchants historically cast these items from copper, brass, or iron to trade for enslaved people. Finding these artifacts in Scandinavia is rare, highlighting the direct link between the ship and colonial slave trade activities.
4The Fateful 1683 Mutiny
The Havmanden was en route to St. Thomas when food and water shortages triggered a revolt by crewmembers and convicts. The mutineers seized control near the Azores, eventually murdering the captain and throwing officers overboard in the English Channel. The ship later ran aground, leading to the execution of the mutineers in Copenhagen.
5Colonial Ambitions and Failure
The ship was intended to support the Danish West India Company by delivering colonists to the Caribbean before sailing to West Africa. This mission was central to Denmark's colonial expansion strategy during the 17th century. The violent end of the voyage serves as a grim reflection of the harsh realities of colonial maritime life.
6Historical Context of Slavery
Denmark maintained its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade for over a century following the Havmanden incident. While King Christian VII officially banned the trade in 1792, the institution of slavery persisted in the Danish West Indies until 1848. A major revolt by enslaved people finally secured their freedom that year.
7Expert Analysis of Artifacts
Vivi Lena Andersen, director of Rudersdal Museums, emphasized that the shoe's quality indicates it was an expensive item only the wealthy could afford. Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch, a maritime archaeologist, stated that these items offer a personal entry point into the broader, often brutal history of Danish colonial activities and the slave trade.
8Significance of Underwater Heritage
The investigation of the Havmanden wreck continues to yield insights into Denmark's colonial past. By analyzing these recovered items, researchers connect individual stories to systemic historical events. This site remains a critical location for understanding the logistical and human costs associated with the establishment of Danish colonies in the West Indies.