Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Shipwreck

It's (probably) not a pirate ship but this is still pretty neat. A very well preserved 17th century ship has been discovered in the Baltic. The ship is in such good condition that experts are not sure if it should be called a "shipwreck".

Most shipwrecks don't last very long. Shipworms (actually small clam-like creatures that leave a trail like a worm-hole) eat away the wood so that only encrusted metal pieces are left. Things are different in the northern waters. It is too cold for most of the creatures that destroy ships so a sunken ship can last for decades. The Vasa was in such good condition that it was essentially re-floated and towed to shore.

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