HIDDEN FLEET – 31 Shipwrecks Discovered In Underwater Survey Of German Lake

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This is the moment a remote-operated camera glides over the lakebed to reveal a 19th-century cargo sailing ship lying almost completely intact on the bottom of Lake Constance.

The rare find was announced by the State Office for Monument Preservation in Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, on 12th August.

The footage shows barnacle-covered wooden barrels, a handcart, and finally the ship itself, with its mast and yard still standing.

Even parts of its cargo – sandstone blocks once used as building materials – remain visible in the silt.

The vessel lies at great depth, with details such as bow clamps, belaying pins, and a toothed wheel with pawl still clearly recognisable on the wooden hull.

Researchers believe the ship most likely carried goods across the lake and its connecting rivers in the 1800s.

It is the most significant of 31 previously unknown wrecks found during a systematic survey of the 539 square kilometre lake, which reaches depths of up to 251 metres.

The project began in 2022 and will continue until 2027, combining high-resolution mapping with sonar and diver inspections.

Other wrecks include two paddle steamers – believed to be the SD Baden, launched in 1871 and scuttled in 1931, and the SD Friedrichshafen II, launched in 1909, damaged by bombing in 1944 and sunk in 1946.

Researchers also found a debris field of 17 wooden barrels and a handcart, likely from another ship that has not yet been located.

The barrels contain a yellowish-white substance thought to be quicklime, a historic building material.

All of the wrecks will remain on the lakebed, as experts say recovery would be too costly and they are best preserved underwater.

(Mike Leidig / newsX)

NewsX-shipwreck-01.jpg
Copyright: LAD in the RPS/ISF of the LUBW, Marcel Edel/Clipzilla/NX
Description: This image is a screen grab of the video supplied titled NewsX-shipwreck-01.mp4: Footage shows cargo sailing ship on the bottom of Lake Constance, Germany, undated. Footage shared by State Office for Monument Preservation, Stuttgart District on Tuesday, Aug 12, 2025.

Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig

Byline Sub editor: Marija Stojkoska

Byline Spotter: Mike Leidig

Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig

Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig

Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik

Byline Video Editor: David Stojkovic

Byline Copychecker: Dushko Kochoski

Byline Illustrator: Dushko Kochoski

Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig

Geography: Lake_Constance

Subject: History, Nature, Water

T4 Editor Story Rating: 6

T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 7

T4 Total rating: 6.5