The art of shipbuilding in the 1620s.

The shipyard in Stockholm was the country’s largest naval base and where the Vasa was built. It was also one of the largest workplaces of its time. Around 400 people worked there, including sawyers, turners, topmast and mast makers, carpenters, painters, sailmakers, ropemakers, and blacksmiths. Many of the workers came from other countries due to their skills and expertise, such as Dutch shipbuilders, German carvers, and Walloon ironworkers.

In the exhibition, there is a model showing the bustling activity at the shipyard in the spring of 1627. Vasa is in the center, on the slipway, ready for launch. Next to Vasa is a ship under construction, with the bow and stern erected and the bottom of the hull started — perhaps it is Vasa’s sister ship, Äpplet? Pictures illustrate the entire shipbuilding process, from searching for the right oak in the forest to rigging.

The shipyard still exists today, though it is no longer used for shipbuilding. It is now called Blasieholmen, and where the Vasa was built, the Strand Hotel now stands.

 

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4. The shipyard

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