Vasa Warship

1628

Vasa, the Swedish ship, was the world’s most high-tech warship when she was built in 1628. She was the pride of the growing Swedish empire. But because of her innovative double deck for the heavy artillery, the Vasa was dangerously unstable. Despite this, she was impatiently ordered out to sea for her maiden voyage. As she was exiting the harbor, the wind picked up and the ship floundered. She sank in full view of a horrified public, assembled to see off their navy’s ambitious warship.

The preserved warship can be viewed at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.

Additional info:

Smithsonianmag - The Bizarre Story of ‘Vasa,’ the Ship

Vasamuseet - The Vasa Museum