162810 August 1628 · Stockholm

Sinking and raising of the Vasa

Vasa's hull breaks the surface between salvage pontoons in Stockholm harbour in April 1961, watched by crowds — Archival image: Unknown photographer. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Built for Gustav II Adolf's navy while Sweden fought for power around the Baltic, the warship Vasa heeled over and sank in Stockholm harbour barely a kilometre into her maiden voyage. Too little ballast for her heavy upper gun deck made her unstable. Raised almost intact in 1961, she is now displayed with most of her original timbers and carvings.