Archaeological data

By the help of this careful approach, the following things can be said about the BZN 10 wreck: The wreck site is 40 by 25 meters, and the ship itself must have been around 40 meters long. An almost complete starboard site is visible, not only from bow to stern, but also parts of the bulwarks are still there. Near the bow the ships decoration in the form of a man's head has been extremely well preserved. The ship had two continuing decks with a considerable flare. The oven is very near to the bow of the ship. It's not intact anymore, but probably still in its original place. Besides these things, much of the rigging, like blocks and ropes, has been preserved as well.

What makes the ship special is the huge amount of pinewood (Pinus sylvestris) used in the construction. Near the stern some of the outer planking, the frames, the ceiling and the planks for the compartments are made of this wood as well as all the deck beams and deck knees. The use of this much pinewood does not indicate the ship to be of Dutch origin. Because of the amount of pinewood and the lack of well-preserved and accessible oak, dendrochronological dating was executed on pinewood samples from the deck beams. Two samples gave post quem dates of "after 1645" and "after 1646".⁴ The wood originates from northern Germany.

Near the stern on the outside of the planking, above the second deck, a construction was found that appears to be a ventilator (picture 5).⁵ Although mentioned in historical sources, this has never before been found on a shipwreck.

4. Whenever no bark is present, it is only possible to give a "post quem" cutting date for pinewood. The wood is analysed by RING.

5. Manders and Van Vliet (in prep.).