The 19th‐Century Akko 1 Shipwreck, Israel: hull‐construction report

Abstract

The Akko 1 shipwreck was found in 4-m of water inside the ancient harbour of Akko, Israel, and was fully recorded under water. Several hull‐components were retrieved and documented on land, as well as all the finds. The results of the archaeological research and the study of the historical background suggest that the Akko 1 shipwreck is the remains of an eastern Mediterranean naval auxiliary brig, built at the end of the first quarter of the 19th century, and sailing under the Egyptian flag. The ship was apparently wrecked during the 1840 naval bombardment of Akko.

© 2012 The Authors

Key words:

• Akko 1
• shipwreck
• Akko
• Muhammad Ali
• brig

Acknowledgments

The underwater excavation and research of the Akko 1 shipwreck were supported by Ron Marlar, the Yaacov Salomon Foundation, the late Reuven Sadnai—Coral Maritime Services Ltd, the Halpern Foundation, a Sir Maurice Hatter Fellowship, the Hecht Trust, a Jewish National Fund Fellowship, the President, Rector, Dean and Faculty of Humanities, University of Haifa, and anonymous donors, to whom the authors are grateful.

The authors would like to thank Adina Ben Zeev, Yehonatan Goldman, Ronen Simantov, and Daniel Schaffer for their contribution to reconstructing the original hull; thanks to John Tresman for the English editing; and to the Akko Dive Team.