All sailors survived[6] when the original ship sank off Gothenburg, Sweden, on 12 September 1745, while approaching the harbour on her return from a third voyage to China.

[8][9] On 26 April 2023 the Götheborg effected a rescue at sea, coming to the aid of a yacht that had lost its rudder and was adrift.

Situated in Gothenburg, the company secured a 15-year monopoly on far eastern trade, exchanging Swedish timber, tar, iron and copper for tea, porcelain and silk.

[12] Even though the company in the end went bankrupt, it made enormous profits during most of its years in operation and influenced the history of Sweden in several ways.

After 30 months at sea, and with only 900 m (3,000 ft) to go before the vessel reached its berth, it crashed into the Knipla Börö, a well known rock.

The ship remained stranded on the rock while much of the cargo, consisting of tea, porcelain, spices and silk was salvaged.

The ship was clearly visible above the surface of the water for many years, but in time the remains sank to the bottom.

[15][6] It is still unclear what caused the ship to run aground due to the scarcity of contemporary written sources.

Sailing at a speed of 3 kn (3.5 mph) the ship suddenly veered to starboard and hit the rock.

[19] It may be that the Götheborg was suddenly trapped by dead water when making its final change of course, causing the ship to lose rudder function, go off course and run aground.

[18] In 9 December 1984, five members from the Marinarkeologiska Sällskapet, Göteborgskretsen (MASG) ("the Marine Archeological Society of Gothenburg") dove at the Hunnebådan, the site of the shipwreck.

One of the participants, Anders Wästfelt chairman of the MASG, wrote in his report: "Fair weather, sun, 7 °C (45 °F) in the air.

The purpose of the excavation was, among others, to use the wreck of the Götheborg as base for spreading knowledge about the history of Gothenburg and the significance of the Swedish East India Company during the 1700s.

The divers also had two giant suction devices, which sucked up sludge and clay into large sieves, where the smallest finds could be sorted.

The remains of the cargo and the ship had settled during the years, together with fine clay, into a 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) thick carpet, hard to penetrate.

In addition to this the finds also consisted of tea, mother-of-pearl shells, galangal, pepper, silk fabric, ingots of "tutanego" (these contained 99% zinc, 0,5% iron) not to be confused with paktong, cannonballs, lead shots, rapier handles, sword hilts, rigging material and objects belonging to the officers and crew.

[22] During the excavations the thought of building a replica of the Götheborg started to form among the divers who had found the ship.

The decision to excavate and rebuild the ship has generated large interest over the years from researchers, volunteers, professionals, sponsors and the public.

Knowledge about 18th century history, trade with China and the Swedish East India Company has thereby increased substantially.

Led by Master of Ceremonies Anders Wästfeldt, two silver coins, one from 1745, and one from 1995, were placed in the halved joints of the 33 m (108 ft) long keel.

About 3,000 people attended the laying of the keel, including Sören Gyll, director of Volvo and professor Jorgen Weibull.

[24] All that was left of the Eriksbergs wharf were two-thirds of building berth number six, the large gantry crane and the dry dock.

The engines were only intended for port navigation and emergency situations, but they have been used during unfavourable wind in order to keep the timetable for the journey to China.

[2] Ten tons of hemp ropes were used for rigging the vessel, together with some 1,000 blocks and 1,964 m2 (21,140 sq ft) linen sail.

The Gothenburg Municipality was willing to pay for the ongoing maintenance of the ship if sponsors made contributions for the expeditions and other activities.

The vessel berthed at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, and then left for Hout Bay before continuing on its voyage.