The “Unsinkable Warship” of the 17th Century – Sweden’s Vasa Ship Resurfaces After 333 Years

▲ The Swedish 17th-century warship Vasa (Photo / Wikipedia, the same below)

By Rita

Huge ultra-luxury yachts cruising the globe may not be anything new today, but just imagine: back in the 17th century, before the Industrial Revolution, countries were building massive ships—not for tourism, but as frontline war vessels. Accordingto a report by Amusingplanet on the warship Vasa, you might gain a deeper understanding of Sweden, the home of IKEA.

The Swedish warship Vasa was one of the most powerful armed vessels of the 17th century and could even be called a marvel of its time. With a length of 64 meters, it was equipped with 64 cannons.

In 1628, it set off on its maiden voyage from Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, heading to Poland, at a time when the entire Baltic Sea region was plagued by war. This royal ship was extremely ostentatious—not only carrying the hopes of the king, but also drawing an enormous crowd on its departure day, with many coming to say goodbye to crew family members. It was expected that this “unsinkable warship” would achieve great things for Sweden, but unexpectedly,its severely unbalanced “top-heavy” structure caused it to tilt in strong winds after sailing just over a thousand meters, leading to its sinking and the death of thirty people.。

Although the cannons were salvaged, the Vasa was largely forgotten by the world. It wasn’t until 1961, when the wreck was discovered in shallow waters with a high degree of preservation, that it was placed in a temporary museum called “Wasavarvet” (the Vasa Shipyard). It was later moved to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm in 1988, where it remains to this day—one of Sweden’s most popular museums, attracting millions of visitors from around the world every year.

▲ Cannons aboard the Vasa (Photo / Vasa Museum)

The Vasa has become a window through which travelers from around the world can learn about Sweden. It symbolizes the political, artisanal, and national power development of Sweden during its Great Power period in the 17th century. Most importantly, the four-deck Vasa is one of the best-preserved warships from that era, though parts of the hull continue to deteriorate.

It is said that the wreck site lies in a heavily polluted area of Sweden. During its 333 years underwater, sulfuric acid seeped into the wood. Once the ship resurfaced, acidic substances began to erode it from the inside out. It is estimated that up to two tons of the Vasa’s wood contains sulfuric acid—and this amount continues to grow, ultimately threatening the integrity of the entire ship.

▲ Painted sculptures aboard the Vasa (Photo / Wikipedia)

To slow down the deterioration, the museum maintains a temperature of 18–20°C and 53% humidity, treats the hull with alkaline-soaked cloths, and replaced rusted bolts with resin. However, these efforts only delay the damage—they cannot stop it entirely.

Though the Vasa had a fleeting moment in history, both Sweden and visitors hope its remains can be preserved intact as a shared cultural treasure for all humanity.

Vasa Museum

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, Stockholm, Sweden (on Djurgården Island)

Opening Hours:
June 1 – August 31: Daily 8:30–18:00
September 1 – May 31: Daily 10:00–17:00 (Wednesdays until 20:00)
Closed: December 23–25, January 1

Admission:
Adults: 130 SEK (approx. NTD 500)
Students: 100 SEK (approx. NTD 380, student ID required)
Children aged 0–18: Free entry