The Sinking of the Vasa - Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs

The Vasa was a massive warship commissioned by King Gustav II Adolph of Sweden in the early 17th century. Designed to be the pride of the Swedish Navy, construction began in 1626 at the Royal Shipyard in Stockholm, under the supervision of master shipwright Henrik Hybertsson. The Vasa was intended to be a symbol of Sweden’s military power and ambition in the Baltic region, with a total of 64 guns arranged on two decks. Its design incorporated the latest advancements in naval architecture, including a sleek hull and a high concentration of firepower.

However, the Vasa’s inaugural voyage was marked by tragedy. On August 10, 1628, the ship set sail from Stockholm’s harbor amid great fanfare. But just minutes into the journey, a gust of wind caught the ship’s sails, causing it to roll precariously. Water began to rush in through the open gun ports, and the ship quickly sank to the bottom of the harbor. It was a devastating loss for Sweden, with over 30 crew members perishing in the disaster. The Vasa lay submerged for over three centuries, until it was rediscovered in the 1950s and eventually salvaged in 1961. Today, the Vasa is one of Sweden’s most popular tourist attractions, attracting millions of visitors each year to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.