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Vasa was built at the Stockholm shipyard by an experienced Dutch shipbuilder.
The Vasa was designed to be the mightiest warship in the world, armed with
64 guns on two gun decks. This display of firepower was also her death
warrant.
Sunday August 10, 1628 was the Vasa's maiden voyage. The Stockholm shipyard
was replete with foreign diplomats. The maiden voyage was to flaunt his
military power and frighten the enemies of Sweden's king Gustavus Adolphus.
There are several reports of the Vasa's sinking that disagree slightly,
but essentially the Vasa set sail, fired a salute. Then between a few minutes
and a few hours, with too many heavy cannons on her upper decks and inadequate
ballasts below, the narrow hull began to heel over. She rapidly took on
water through open gun ports and quickly sank. When Vasa was raised in
1961, the remains of 25 skeletons were found.
Length: 32" Deck Length
Height: 28"
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