Brenda and I got to go to Stockholm on business. One of the things we most wanted to see was the most Famous Swedish warship, the Vasa.
The Vasa was build in only two years in 1626-28, about twice as fast as normal.
It was also built with an extra gundeck, an innovation in warship design.
Unfortunately the innovator was the King of Sweden, who was not especially skilled in naval architecture. BUT, the king was engaged in a war in Poland, and he wanted to show the opposition that: a) Sweden was a major naval power, b) that Sweden was a military arms innovator (strange aside: Sweden stays mostly neutral in armed conflict, but is among the world leaders in the sale of military weapons!) and c) that Sweden was going to overpower the opposition in Poland.
At any rate, the Vasa was one of the most elaborately decorated military vessels of all times! It was heavily adorned with intricate carvings of great artistry.
Fortunately for the REAL naval architects, they could foresee the stability problems with adding an extra gundeck, innovative though it was. They ensured that their contract was clear that they would NOT be held responsible for problems with the Vasa.
Punch Line: After sailing less than 2 km, in about 40 min, the Vasa heeled over, took on water through the lowest port-side gun openings, and sank, taking down about 30-50 of the people onboard. At least 2 young women died in the sinking.
There are some valuable lessons to be learned here. If I could just figure out what they are!
It was also built with an extra gundeck, an innovation in warship design.
Unfortunately the innovator was the King of Sweden, who was not especially skilled in naval architecture. BUT, the king was engaged in a war in Poland, and he wanted to show the opposition that: a) Sweden was a major naval power, b) that Sweden was a military arms innovator (strange aside: Sweden stays mostly neutral in armed conflict, but is among the world leaders in the sale of military weapons!) and c) that Sweden was going to overpower the opposition in Poland.
At any rate, the Vasa was one of the most elaborately decorated military vessels of all times! It was heavily adorned with intricate carvings of great artistry.
Fortunately for the REAL naval architects, they could foresee the stability problems with adding an extra gundeck, innovative though it was. They ensured that their contract was clear that they would NOT be held responsible for problems with the Vasa.
Punch Line: After sailing less than 2 km, in about 40 min, the Vasa heeled over, took on water through the lowest port-side gun openings, and sank, taking down about 30-50 of the people onboard. At least 2 young women died in the sinking.
There are some valuable lessons to be learned here. If I could just figure out what they are!
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