We get many questions about Vasa and her history. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
What does the name Vasa mean?
Vasa was the surname of the royal family at the time the ship was built, so the ship is named Vasa after the king who commissioned it.
Who owned the ship?
The royal navy was the property of the King, so the Vasa was owned by the king Gustavus Adolphus, who commissioned the building of the ship in 1625.
When was the ship built?
The building of the Vasa started in 1626 and was finished in 1628.
For how long did the ship sail?
The maiden voyage of the ship Vasa only lasted for a quarter of an hour before she started taking in water through the lower gunports and began to sink.
Why did the ship sink?
The Vasa was a little too tall and a little too narrow to sail well. The part of the ship that was below water was too small compared to the part above water and that made her unstable. The gun ports were open during the maiden voyage, which allowed water to start flowing in when a sudden a gust of wind made her list.
How much does the ship weigh?
The ship weighs somewhere between 800 tonnes minimum and 1200 tonnes maximum, but the exact weight is still unknown. The estimation is based on known values of density and volume of different ship timbers. When the ship gets a new support cradle it may be possible to get a more exact value of her weight.