German researchers have uncovered 31 shipwrecks in Lake Constance, including one that may have been a paddle steamer destroyed during a World War II air raid. The ‘Wrecks and Deep Sea’ project, launched in 2022, has led to the identification of over 250 underwater anomalies, with 31 confirmed as shipwrecks. Among these are two large metal hulls potentially linked to the steamers SD Friedrichshafen II and SD Baden, with the latter destroyed during the war and the former sunk in 1930.
One of the most significant discoveries is a nearly complete cargo sailing ship preserved in remarkable condition, with its mast and yard still intact. The ship’s deep-water location has helped safeguard its features, such as bow clamps and belaying pins, from invasive species. Researchers also found 17 wooden barrels at another site, highlighting the diverse range of maritime history preserved in Lake Constance.
The project, which will continue until summer 2027, has already contributed to other underwater discoveries, including a vintage car found during the USS Yorktown excavation in the Pacific. These findings underscore the importance of wrecks as time capsules that offer insights into historical craftsmanship and events.