Baltic Escape Boats in Sweden

Authors

  • Mirja Arnshav Stockholm University; Sweden National Maritime and Transport Museums

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jca.24609

Keywords:

forced migration, maritime archaeology, refugee boats, Second World War

Abstract

This essay presents the results of a survey of the remains of boats used for escaping from occupied Baltic countries to Sweden during World War II. It discusses how such remains can be identified and what knowledge and understanding can be gained from their materiality. Whilst these vessels do cast light on a particular escape situation, they also add to a more general understanding of material culture related to forced migration.

Author Biography

  • Mirja Arnshav, Stockholm University; Sweden National Maritime and Transport Museums

    Mirja Arnshav is a research fellow at Stockholm University, Sweden. She is also a research coordinator at the Swedish National Maritime and Transport Museums and part of a project funded by the independent foundation Riksbankens Jubileumsfond entitled The Lost Navy: Sweden’s “Blue” Heritage c. 1450–1850. Her research centres on the archaeology of the contemporary past, museums and maritime heritage studies. Address for correspondence: Statens maritima och transporthistoriska museer, Kulturarvsenheten Box 27131, 102 52 Stockholm, Sweden.

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Published

2023-04-17

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Photo Essays

License

© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

For information regarding our Open Access policy, click here.

How to Cite

Arnshav, M. (2023). Baltic Escape Boats in Sweden. Journal of Contemporary Archaeology, 9(2), 260-277. https://doi.org/10.1558/jca.24609