Marine archaeologists recently announced an incredible underwater find off the coast of Costa Rica. They have been able to definitively identify two shipwrecks—previously rumored to be the remains of pirate vessels—as remains of Danish ships that took part in the transatlantic slave trade. The Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus disappeared in 1710 while sailing under the flag of the Danish West India Company. In addition, these ships were important vessels in the illegal transportation of enslaved Africans from West Africa to the Danish West Indies and Denmark.
The discovery of these shipwrecks brings to life a very dark chapter in our history. Often assumed to be pirate ships thanks to their shattered state, new carbon dating analysis has shown otherwise. Recognizing yellow bricks and clay sewer pipes proved crucial in determining the origins of artifacts. These materials are one of a kind for Denmark and its colonies. Taken together, these findings speak both to the rich, complex maritime history of the region and the deep legacy of the slave trade’s violent reach.
Historical Context of the Danish West India Company
Established in the early 1600s, this company played a key role in allowing Denmark to operate its own transatlantic slave trade. This company carried in the process the majority of all the Africans that came to that place enslaved during its existence. The Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus were the largest vessels ever run by the company. They sank all too tragically while under grappling a heavy cargo, including about 600 enslaved people.
Back in Germany, the Fridericus Quartus met a tragic fate. Enslaved people who were on board revolted, lighting a fire that eventually led to it being destroyed. The Christianus Quintus was lost when strong waves came after the ship’s mooring rope was severed. Both vessels epitomized the dangerous, deteriorating conditions for all those committed to this tragic trade.
“The analyses are very convincing and we no longer have any doubts that these are the wrecks of the two Danish slave ships,” – David Gregory
The Discovery of the Shipwrecks
The shipwrecks were found on an archaeological expedition along the Central American coast. Marine archaeologists Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch and David Gregory led the charge in researching these sites. They are seen here representing the National Museum of Denmark in this critical effort. This included hundreds of hours of underwater exploration as well as study of many artifacts recovered from the wrecks.
The most provocative evidence were these yellow bricks located around one of the wrecks. These bricks, known as Flensborg backsteens, were produced almost exclusively for export to Denmark and its colonies. These bricks and the charred charred timbers from the ships, an inscrutable round of calamity provide tangible proof. They do directly connect these remains to Denmark.
“The bricks are Danish and the same goes for the timbers, which are additionally charred and sooty from a fire,” – David Gregory
The discovery process has not been without its bumps. Bloch expressed his dedication to uncovering the truth behind these wrecks, stating, “It’s been a long process and I’ve come close to giving up along the way, but this is undoubtedly the craziest archaeological excavation I’ve yet been part of.” His commitment speaks to the importance of these findings in grappling with historical stories about Denmark’s involvement with slavery.
Implications for Historical Understanding
The confirmation identifies all four of these shipwrecks as the Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus. This find tells us so much about the ancient world, forever changing our view of history. It just shows how much the Danish were involved in the transatlantic slave trade. It demonstrates how our narratives of these incidents can be rewritten as new evidence comes to light.
Those discoveries contradict earlier claims that these ships were pirate ships. In today’s post, they serve as examples of how our understanding of history can shift as we learn more about the past. Today, those wrecks are a powerful reminder of what colonial expansion and the pursuit of capital cost real people.
The research team plans to continue their analysis and excavation efforts at the site, with hopes of uncovering more artifacts that could provide further insights into the lives of those who were transported aboard these ships. They are starting this important new chapter of U.S. maritime history. Their intention is to commemorate those who suffered through this dark period in human history.
