Wasa – Swedish War Ship in Stockholm

Vasa is a Swedish warship built between 1626 and 1628. Built by 400 craftsmen at the royal shipyard at Stockholm, the ship was richly decorated as a symbol of the king’s ambitions for Sweden and himself. It was 69 meters long and was fitted with 64 cannons, and upon completion, it was of the most powerfully armed vessels in the world of that time. The ship foundered after sailing about 1,300 m into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. Around 30 people lost their lives. Vasa was mostly forgotten, until she was located and recovered from the shallow waters in 1961. With a largely intact hull, the ship was housed in a temporary museum called Wasavarvet until 1988 and then she was moved to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.

credit: SnippyHolloW