Raising a 600-Year-Old Joseon Dynasty Transport Ship from the Taean Mado Sea Area

Salvage Operation Begins for the 'Mado No. 4 Ship'
Joseon-era Grain Transport Ship to Be Raised After 10 Years Underwater
Ritual Held to Pray for Safety and Successful Research

On the 8th, the National Marine Heritage Research Institute of the Cultural Heritage Administration will begin the salvage of the 'Mado No. 4 Ship' in the waters near Mado, Taean-gun, Chungnam. This ship was discovered during an excavation in 2015. Through artifacts such as wooden tablets inscribed with 'Gwangheungchang (廣興倉·an office responsible for the salaries of Joseon officials)', Buncheong ceramics engraved with 'Naeseom (內贍·an institution responsible for tributes offered to the Joseon royal palace and court)', and a large quantity of grains, it was confirmed to be a Joseon-era grain transport ship (Jo-unseon, 漕運船·a ship used to transport grains collected as taxes).

Underwater excavation vessel 'Nurianho' conducting research in the Mado sea area
[Photo by National Heritage Agency]

The waters near Mado, Taean, where the ship was found, served as a mandatory passage for transporting taxes and tribute goods collected from the southern Chungcheong region to Hanyang (present-day Seoul). However, the waterway was notoriously treacherous, known as 'Nanhaengnyang (難行梁)', and maritime accidents were frequent. According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, approximately 200 ships sank in the vicinity between 1392 and 1455, a period of about 60 years.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the excavation, the institute will salvage the grain transport ship resting underwater. On the day, a ritual will be held to pray for the safety of the excavation and abundant research results, and the operation will be fully launched. An official stated, "We plan to preserve and treat the shipwreck fragments, which have absorbed seawater for about 600 years, at the National Taean Marine Relics Exhibition Hall."

2015 Mado Line 4 Investigation Scene
[Photo by National Heritage Administration]

The institute will also extensively conduct surveys and excavations at artifact concentration sites where additional ancient ships may be found. From 2008 to 2023, four ancient ships have been discovered in the waters near Mado, Taean. A large number of artifacts from the Three Kingdoms to Joseon periods, including magnetic materials and wooden tablets, have also been found. An official said, "Since shipwreck fragments and various ceramics were confirmed during last year’s underwater heritage exploration in the area, we plan to continue excavation investigations."