The Vasa

Sweden was one of the major military powers in the 1600s. In 1625, Sweden’s hing Gustav II Adolf ordered a large warship to be built to strengthen the country's naval war capabilities. It was called the sasa. He assigned this task to an experienced ship-builder named Henrik. Based on the descriptions that the king gave, Henrik designed the ship to carry 32 guns, each weighing 10.UU kg (24 lb). With that plan in mind, he built an approximately 33.52 m (110 feet) keel. Meanwhile, hing Gustav learned about Denmark’s plan for a larger ship; so he ordered that the sasa be enlarged so as to have a 41 m (135 feet) keel. Further, he wanted to introduce two enclosed gun decks in the ship, which was an innovative feature for ships of that time.

As the construction of the ship progressed, the king VuJJHVWHG D VHULHV oI FKDnJHV, finDOOy GHFLGLnJ WKDW WKH sasa must be able to carry 64 guns (each 10.UU kg/24 lb), with many small guns as well. The architect Henrik died before completing the ship, and his assistant Jacobsson was made the architect of the ship. With no ZULWWHn VSHFLfiFDWLonV oU GoFuPHnWV, -DFobVVon continued with the ship’s construction with whatever limited understanding he had about the original plans. Before launch, a ‘stability test’ was conducted; the ship rocked violently, and the test was stopped, but fearing the wrath of the king, the architect hid the problems about the ship from the monarch.

When Poland threatened war, the hing ordered the ship to be launched as soon as possible. On August 10, 162U, on its maiden voyage, the sasa sailed only 1,300 metres before it sank, killing 53 sailors. This resulted in a huge economic loss and humiliation to Sweden.