Treasure and shipwrecks often go hand in hand, but what are the most magnificent and historically significant items ever salvaged? Mensun Bound, an underwater archaeologist who played a key role in discovering Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance, has written a new maritime history book based on his encounters with shipwrecked objects throughout his career. In this article, he shares some of the most important and quirky items that have been salvaged from the sea.
One such item is a cannon fired in the Battle of Trafalgar. HMS Agamemnon, Lord Nelson’s first major command and favorite ship, played a crucial role in this historic battle. The cannon was discovered off the coast of Uruguay after the ship ran aground while chasing French ships. It is the only known cannon proven to have been fired during this famous battle.
Another fascinating artifact is a Bible from Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition on Endurance to Antarctica in 1914. When forced to abandon their belongings during their struggle for survival, crew member Thomas McLeod rescued Shackleton’s Bible out of fear that leaving it behind would tempt fate. The Bible eventually made its way to the Royal Geographical Society in London.
A Greek helmet dating back to around 600BC is another remarkable find. This helmet was salvaged from a shipwreck off Giglio Island and showcases exceptional metalwork skills from ancient times. It features intricate engravings of charging boars and fanged vipers.
In 1554, a Portuguese trading ship called Espadarte sank near Fort Saint Sebastian on Mozambique Island while returning from India with valuable cargo such as spices and porcelain. Among these treasures were approximately 50kg of gold ingots and jewelry—a testament to Portugal’s involvement in international trade during that era.
These salvaged artifacts provide insights into our world’s history—whether it be through significant battles like Trafalgar or explorations like Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition—and shed light on ancient technologies and trade networks that shaped our past.
