Wasa (1628)

[shipstamps]

Sweden is to issue in September 1969, a 50 ore stamp depicting the Wasa (Vasa), one of four warships ordered by King Gustavus Adolphus in January 1625, when he decided that he needed a much stronger navy if his dreams of conquest in Northern Europe were to be realised. In that month the order was placed with the royal shipyard located at the present Blasieholmen, opposite the Royal Palace. On August 10,1628, the Wasa started on her maiden voyage from the Royal Palace to the Alvsnabben Naval Base to join a squadron waiting there. Still in Stockholm's harbour she heeled so violently under a sudden gust that water poured in through the lower gun ports. The listing worsened and the Wasa finally foundered in 100 feet of water, going down "with sails set, flags flying and all", a grim sight for the thousands of spectators lining the quays.In the 17th century several futile efforts were made to salve the ship. In 1664 and 1683 a total of 54 cannon were salvaged by using a diving bell. Then the old warship was forgotten. She was rediscovered in 1956 by Anders Franzen, a marine archaeologist, of Stockholm, who managed to locate the wreck after years of studious research on the harbour bottom. Then the Swedish Navy set to work, In 1957 divers with a water jet forced tunnels for lifting cables through the silt which covered the ship. In August 1959, the vessel was raised for the first time, and in 17 stages moved from 100 ft. to 55 ft. depth. The final raising and docking took place in April 1961, after which archaeological excavations were begun. After being 333 years at the bottomof the harbour, 24,000 objects were recovered. The majority were of wood. leather, textiles, gold, silver, copper, bronze, brass, and cast iron were also recovered in fairly good condition. Almost all the forged iron had rusted away.From figurehead to stern the Wasa was about 190 ft. long and 39 ft. breadth (max). The stern castle rose 56 ft. above the keel. Her displacement was 1,300 tons approx. Armament was 64 cannon, of which 48 were 24-pdrs., eight 3-pdrs., two 1-pdrs., two 62-pdrs., three 35-pdrs., and one 16-pdr. Ammunition consisted of round-shot, bar-shot, case-shot, chain-shot, incendiaries and balls of rope and tar that either were to be shot or thrown at enemy ships. A specially built exhibition building now houses the Wasa, and she is being gradually restored to her original appearance.
Sea Breezes Sept 1969.
Sweden SG592, 1513

[Arturo]

Wasa

Sweden, 1990, S.G.?, Scott; 1830.

Paraguay, 1976, S.G.?, Scott; 1677b.

[aukepalmhof]

See also: http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 006#p14006