The wreck of the steamship Annie, located ten kilometers off the coast of Holmsund in northern Sweden, has been officially classified as an ancient monument (fornminne) by the Västerbotten County Administrative Board. This decision represents an exception to standard archaeological criteria, as the ship does not meet the age requirement for such classification.
According to archaeologist Nina Granholm, who was quoted in the report, "A site must fulfill four main criteria to be considered an ancient monument. In this case, the age criterion is not met. The ship did not sink before 1850." The Annie was discovered in September 2021 when the Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket) conducted sea measurements off Umeå.
A site must fulfill four main criteria to be considered an ancient monument. In this case, the age criterion is not met. The ship did not sink before 1850.
The shipwreck has become a popular diving destination since its discovery. Granholm noted that the wreck is unusually well-preserved, standing upright on the seafloor at a depth of 35 meters, and represents a good example of the type of ship that became common in the 19th century.
Classification as an ancient monument means that any actors wishing to lay cables in the water, build offshore wind turbines, or undertake other activities near the wreck will need permission from the county administrative board. Divers may continue to visit the site but are prohibited from touching the wreck or removing any objects.
The decision required a special ruling from the county administrative board, highlighting the unusual nature of this classification given that the ship does not meet the standard age requirements for ancient monument status.