𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮

The 17th century Vasa, preserved in Stockholm's Vasamuseet, was a failure as a warship. But its glory is the countless wood carvings on the hull. Some the ornate decorations were intended to honour the king, Gustav II Adolf, and the Vasa royal dynasty. Others were intended to intimidate or mock Sweden's enemies. They were once brightly painted. Representing mastery over the seas was a further object, but the seas won the only battle that mattered. On its maiden voyage in 1628, the top-heavy Vasa heeled over, capsized and sank. Opinion today suggests that its intricate decorations, as well as its heavy cannon armament, unbalanced the ship. #visitstockholm #vasa #Sweden