Sweden's Doomed Masterpiece: Vasa, the 17th Century's Most Advanced Warship, Sinks on Its Maiden Voyage

Shipwrecks captivate people because of the history and treasures within it. Vasa, a warship has been held to a high standard by researchers and the Swedish public because it represents a glorious period in the country's history, The New York Times reported. It is on display in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, a building created to celebrate this marvel created in the 1620s.

Vasa was created with a lot of pomp and applause but its ending was nowhere similar in spirits, the New York Times reported. The naval warship did not even make it one mile before sinking on its maiden voyage on August 10, 1682. All it took was a strong gust of wind, and the 226-foot-long ship keeled over with water pouring in through its open gun ports. There were 150 people on board during the sinking, and 30 people ended up losing their lives in the disaster. 

King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden ordered the building of the ship in 1628 for battle as well as strategic objectives, History Defined reported. Adolphus wanted the ship to be magnificent. The plan was for Vasa to have 64 bronze cannons and a crew of 450 men.

Adolphus wanted the ship to be built as quickly as possible. He allegedly micro-managed everything about the vessel and made several less-than-optimal decisions in its construction. The king reportedly avoided professional opinion and made several calls regarding the construction of Vasa.

Shipwright, Henrik Hybertsson, was hired to build the ship, History Defined reported. Hybertsson allegedly had no experience in building a ship with such extensive demands. He was instructed to make the warship top heavy and packed with guns. The shipwright died before the completion of the warship and could not see its maiden voyage. 

On August 10, 1628, Vasa was brought to the naval port of Älvsnabben for its maiden voyage. The warship was sent off by the king as well as his many subjects. Tragedy struck within one mile, causing crew members to cling to the masts waiting to be rescued by small ships. 

The ship was recovered by archaeologist, Anders Franzén, in 1956. He hypothesized that an effort should be made to unearth shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea because the water there was too cold for shipworms.

Shipworms are cited as a huge reason behind the destruction of shipwrecks in oceans and other water bodies. His assumption proved to be correct and Vasa's wreckage was discovered in the Baltic Sea. 

Extensive efforts were made to salvage the ship after its recovery, History Defined reported. After almost two decades the shipwreck was put on display for the public in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.