Exploring the Enigmatic Ghost Fleet of the Baltic Sea
Exploring the chilling depths of the Baltic Sea, divers Jonas Dahm and Carl Douglas embark on a captivating quest to capture the enigmatic allure of the sunken ships, unveiling their untold tales through mesmerizing underwater photography
Divers Jonas Dahm and Carl Douglas are avid history enthusiasts and close friends who have spent 25 years exploring the icy waters of Scandinavia, in search of the "ghost ships" of the Baltic Sea—sunken vessels lost to the ocean depths.
Many of the barnacle-covered ships resting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea have been there for centuries, yet some remain surprisingly well-preserved thanks to the cold temperatures of the water.
During dives, Dahm takes captivating photographs of the intact ship furniture, intricate interior wall carvings, and a slightly cracked ship's clock that can be found on the ocean floor.
Dahm and Douglas dedicated countless hours to meticulously studying books and researching the historical backgrounds of the wrecks.
Their collaborative work, featuring Dahm's haunting photographs and Douglas' reflective writings, is showcased in the book "Ghost Ships of the Baltic Sea," which is published by the Swedish publisher Bokförlaget Max Ström.
In the depths of the sea
captured this photo of a cod swimming by the SS Undine, a 19th century German cruiser repurposed as a war vessel during World War I. The ship ultimately sank in the southern Baltic in 1915.
For centuries, the Baltic Sea has been a hub of seafaring activity, from trade to conflict, resulting in a rich history of sunken ships. According to Douglas' book, the Baltic's depths are home to "tens of thousands of intact, undisturbed shipwrecks from every era."
"There still are many that havent been found yet," Dahm tells CNN Travel.
The Baltic Seas potential wealth of well-preserved wrecks makes it the home of "the best diving in the world," says Douglas.
Dahm and Douglas crossed paths for the first time in the late 1990s in Stockholm, Sweden, through mutual friends who shared their passion for diving. From a young age, Dahm has been an avid diver, and he further developed his underwater photography skills during his mandatory military service.
On the other hand, Douglas openly acknowledges that he steered clear of the ocean for a significant portion of his life.
"I used to be afraid of water, but I've learned that the things that scare us can also be incredibly captivating," he shares with CNN Travel. Upon some encouragement from friends, he decided to give diving a try.
"After that first experience, I was completely captivated," he confesses, although he still struggles with seasickness while on boats.
Photographing underwater
captured this photo of the former passenger cabin inside the Aachen, a steamship from the 19th century, which later sank during World War I while serving as a German navy vessel.
Dahm's images are immersed in a green ocean hue, highlighting key details as he switches between capturing the scale of lost ships and zooming in on chilling specifics. Douglas writes in the book about how divers utilize darkness to their benefit.
He says the goal is to balance the natural light from the surface with flashlights and cover as much of the wreck site as possible. Photographer Dahm utilizes Nikon D850 and Fujifilm GFX 100s medium format cameras and collaborates with other divers to maximize time spent under the sea.
"To take the big wide-angle pictures we sometimes are two to three divers working together, while I usually can handle close-ups images by myself," he explains.
This is a close-up shot of a ship's chronometer -- a type of clock -- on one of the wrecks.
Jonas Dahm
In addition to managing light conditions, photographers face other challenges when capturing images of wrecks. These challenges include the cold temperatures, poor visibility, and the extreme depths at which the wrecks are located. Dahm and Douglas and their team are unable to linger for long periods due to the depths, with the ships featured in the book reaching depths as deep as 110 meters (360 feet) below the surface of the sea.
"At that depth you dont have very much time to take the photos the way you want," says Dahm.
The hunt for the world's most elusive shipwrecks
Unknowable stories
Remnants of the steam ship Rumina.
Jonas Dahm
Douglas and Dahm organize trips to specific locations in order to visit particular ships. They often receive advice from local fishermen or follow the paths of other divers. However, there are times when "a wreck will appear almost randomly on our echo sounder," as described by Douglas in the book. Dahm and Douglas thoroughly enjoy delving into the history of their findings, especially when they come across unidentified ships with unknown stories.
Dahm is particularly fascinated by the "porcelain wreck," which he considers to be one of the more enigmatic wrecks. The ship is filled with treasures such as violins, clay pipes, pocket watches, and various porcelain pieces.
"Its name, reason for sinking, and intended destination remain a mystery to us. What we do know is that the ship was carrying a valuable cargo that never made it to its final destination," Dahm explains.
Dahm and Douglas take great care to avoid causing any harm to the wrecks as they explore the ocean. Their dedication to protecting the sea and its marine life is evident. This same level of respect and care is also applied to their photography and the creation of their book.
Douglas expresses in the book, "In many instances, these wrecks serve as reminders of devastating disasters that resulted in the loss of lives. We approach these sites with the utmost respect, aiming to honor the victims and share the story of what transpired."
Dahms' photographs lead the book, while Douglas' accompanying text breathes life into many of the stories. He aimed to provide insight through his writing, which includes input from experts like Dr. Fred Hocker, director of research at Stockholms Vasa maritime museum. Douglas' writing also allows space for questioning and reflection.
According to Douglas, "The writing complements the images. We aim for the reader to truly experience the wrecks. Sometimes, an excess of information can detract from that experience."
While the divers enjoy uncovering answers through their research, they also acknowledge that not every story can be fully understood, and find something oddly satisfying in that mystery.
"Somehow we have to accept that we may never unravel the complete history - but these enigmatic wrecks are also incredibly alluring," Douglas explains.
"I will probably never know the answers to all these questions, but its okay, most shipwrecks will never reveal their secrets anyway," says Dahm.
