Stockholm

We did the `hop on, hop off` bus, always a good way to see a city.

We stopped at the Vasa Museum, this is dedicated entirely to the ship named Vasa. It was built in 1628, commissioned by King Gustavus II Adoplphus of Sweden.

Unfortunately on its maiden voyage it sailed approximately 1,300 metres and sank. The ship was too narrow for its hight, so when the sails were unfurled it became very `top heavy`, as it sailed out of the harbour a strong gust of wind caught its sails and it listed to one side, but managed to right itself, however, the gun ports were open and water flooded into the lower decks of the ship. Another gust of wind then caught the ship and it listed again, unfortunately with the decks being water logged it sank. Only 50 of the ships company of over 400 people lost their lives.

Salvage of the ship began in 1664 and in 1959 the ship was brought from the bottom of the sea, totally intact. It now has this museum dedicated to it.

The photo is a cross section of how life would have been below decks.