600-Year-Old North Korean Ship Raised from Seabed – History

A 600-year-old Joseon Dynasty cargo ship has been discovered on the seabed off the west coast of South Korea. The ship, known as Mado 4, sank around 1420. It is the only surviving Joseon Dynasty ship.

The shipwreck was first discovered in 2015 near Taian Island. Archaeologists from the National Maritime Heritage Institute have been studying it ever since, uncovering hundreds of artifacts, including 63 wooden cargo tags with inscriptions that helped record the ship’s departure point and destination. The label reads “Naju Gwangheungchang,” which means that the ship departed from Naju, South Jeolla Province, carrying tribute and grain taxes to Gwangheungchang, Hanyang, a government office that managed official salaries and was located in today’s Mapo-gu, Seoul. The ship’s purpose was confirmed by the discovery of 152 pieces of light blue-green Buncheong stoneware, which were inscribed with the word “Naeseom,” referring to the Naeseomsi, the state officials responsible for administering tribute food and drink to the imperial court and high-ranking officials.

The grain carriers are part of the state-run “joun” transportation system. Cargo ships carried grain and other goods from provincial warehouses to the royal capital, Hanyang. This is the first discovery of a segok, a type of tax grain transport ship previously known only from historical records from the period.

The ship’s intact hull was reburied under sand during investigations over the past decade, but in April this year the National Maritime Heritage Institute began salvaging the hull. The operation concluded successfully last month with the recovery of 107 wooden parts of the hull. The rest of the hull is 39 feet long and 16 feet wide. When the ship capsized, the port side was severely damaged, while the starboard side remained 11 stories high.

The excavation and salvage of the vessels has shed new light on North Korea’s shipbuilding industry. It has a double-mast design, unlike its predecessors from the Goryeo and Silla dynasties that had only one central mast, which was installed at the bow and center. This design increases sailing speed and enhances the ability to maneuver according to wind direction. Horizontal timbers were used in the stern for added durability, and planks on the hull were connected with wooden pegs and later repaired with iron nails. This is the first metal fastener found on a pre-modern Korean ship.

The wooden parts of the hull are currently undergoing desalination at the Tai’an Maritime Museum, while selected artifacts are on display to the public. Once the salts have been removed, the wood will be dried and stabilized, a process that will take several years. Conservators will then carry out a full restoration so that the ship itself can be put on display. The entire project is expected to take approximately 15 years.