We get many questions about Vasa and her history. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
What does the name Vasa mean?
The ship's name comes from "vase", which is an older word for a sheaf of grain or a bundle of twigs. The "vase" was a symbol used by the Swedish royal family. The ship has the royal family's symbol in three places and they serve as the ship's nameplate.
Who owned the ship?
The royal navy was the property of the King, so Vasa was owned by the king Gustav II Adolf who commissioned the ship in 1625.
When was the ship built?
The building of Vasa started in 1626 and was finished in 1628.
For how long did the ship sail?
Vasa sailed for only about 20 minutes before she started taking in water through the lower gunports and began to sink.
Why did the ship sink?
Vasa was topheavy. It 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 structure it may be possible to get a more exact value of her weight.