The Vasa Ship

The Vasa was a 17th-century Swedish warship built to demonstrate naval power. Launched in 1628, it was heavily decorated and armed, but its design was unstable—too top-heavy with a high center of gravity. This caused the ship to list and sink just minutes after setting sail, near Stockholm. It remained underwater for over 300 years, becoming a remarkable preserved artifact. In the 20th century, the Vasa was salvaged, preserved, and displayed in a museum, offering valuable insights into early shipbuilding, maritime history, and 17th-century naval warfare.