Noble Blood: Vasa, Sunken and Resurrected
Episode Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host: Dana Schwartz
Production: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

Introduction to the Vasa

In the episode titled "Vasa, Sunken and Resurrected," host Dana Schwartz delves into the captivating history of the Vasa, a Swedish warship whose brief existence has left an indelible mark on maritime history. The Vasa was envisioned as the crown jewel of King Gustavus Adolphus's navy, intended to symbolize Sweden's naval supremacy in the Baltic Sea. However, its tragic sinking on its maiden voyage and subsequent resurrection centuries later tell a story of ambition, hubris, and remarkable preservation.

The Grand Ambition of King Gustavus Adolphus

Dana sets the stage by describing the Vasa's grand unveiling on August 10, 1628. The ship was a marvel of its time, adorned with intricate carvings and equipped with 72 bronze cannons—the most powerful navy had ever seen. King Gustavus Adolphus, a bold and devout Lutheran, sought to elevate Sweden to a top-tier European power. As Schwartz notes, "The Vasa was a hulking warship, the pinnacle of Swedish naval ambitions, a floating tribute to the country's bold ruler."

Despite its grandeur, the Vasa's construction was fraught with challenges. Multiple contract versions and the use of inconsistent measurement tools led to structural weaknesses. Schwartz explains, "Separate construction groups worked on the port and starboard sides, which may have given the Vasa a slightly asymmetric structure."

The Maiden Voyage and Tragic Sinking

The Vasa's first and only voyage was marked by both spectacle and disaster. As Captain Sophring Hansen attempted to navigate the ship out of Stockholm harbor, unpredictable gusts of wind caused the Vasa to heel dangerously to one side. At one point, Schwartz recounts, "A gust of wind blew, and immediately the ship began heavy heeling over to its port side (02:15)." Despite efforts to stabilize the vessel, a second gust led to the ship's rapid sinking, resulting in the loss of at least fifteen lives.

Captain Hansen and his crew faced immense pressure to meet the King's expectations. Schwartz highlights the dire situation: "Everyone was so fearful of delivering bad news to the King that the maiden voyage went forward anyway (15:45)." The aftermath saw an inquest where blame was tactfully evaded, preserving the King's reputation while acknowledging the ship's flaws.

The Long Dormancy Underwater

For nearly four centuries, the Vasa lay at the bottom of Stockholm Harbor, hidden from the world. The cold, brackish waters of the Baltic Sea, combined with poor waste disposal practices of the 17th century, created an environment that inadvertently preserved the ship. Schwartz explains, "The cold, brackish, low oxygen waters of the Baltic kept certain organisms that wreak havoc on wood, like the shipworm, from destroying the Vasa (18:30)."

Early salvage attempts were largely unsuccessful due to technological limitations. Various efforts to raise the ship failed, often repeating the mistakes of the initial voyage. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that a successful recovery was achieved.

The Resurrection in the 20th Century

In the 1950s, Anders Franzen spearheaded a new salvage endeavor that would finally bring the Vasa to the surface. Utilizing modern technology, Franzen and his team meticulously documented and preserved the ship. The raising of the Vasa in 1961 marked a significant achievement in marine archaeology.

Preservation efforts were extensive. Schwartz details the innovative use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to replace water in the ship's wooden structure, preventing warping and cracking. "This treatment was so effective that it became standard practice with waterlogged wooden structures, including the famous English warship Mary Rose (22:10)."

The Vasa as a Time Capsule

Today, the Vasa serves as a remarkable time capsule, offering insights into 17th-century Swedish life. Over 25,000 artifacts have been recovered, including clothing, weapons, and personal items. The ship's elaborate decorations showcase a blend of artistic styles and provide a window into the cultural milieu of the era. Schwartz notes, "The Vasa proved to be an incredible time capsule of 17th century Swedish life at sea (24:50)."

Moreover, the human remains recovered from the wreck have provided valuable information about the individuals aboard, including evidence that scurvy was not a prevalent issue among the crew.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The story of the Vasa transcends its historical facts, embedding itself into Swedish national identity and global maritime history. The Vasa Museum, inaugurated by King Carl XVI Gustaf in 1990, attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually, making it Scandinavia's most visited museum. Schwartz observes, "The Vasa has become a vivid symbol of project mismanagement, often cited in discussions about failed ventures impacted by poor communication and hasty decisions (28:20)."

The Vasa's legacy also inspires a sense of pride in Sweden's naval history and serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of overambition and inadequate planning.

Conclusion

Dana Schwartz's comprehensive exploration of the Vasa in this episode of Noble Blood not only recounts the ship's tragic beginnings and miraculous recovery but also underscores its enduring significance. From being a symbol of royal ambition to becoming a treasured archaeological marvel, the Vasa's story is a testament to the complexities of human endeavors and the unforeseen paths to legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• "The Vasa was a hulking warship, the pinnacle of Swedish naval ambitions, a floating tribute to the country's bold ruler." – Dana Schwartz (00:05)
• "Everyone was so fearful of delivering bad news to the King that the maiden voyage went forward anyway." – Dana Schwartz (15:45)
• "The cold, brackish, low oxygen waters of the Baltic kept certain organisms that wreak havoc on wood, like the shipworm, from destroying the Vasa." – Dana Schwartz (18:30)
• "This treatment was so effective that it became standard practice with waterlogged wooden structures, including the famous English warship Mary Rose." – Dana Schwartz (22:10)
• "The Vasa proved to be an incredible time capsule of 17th century Swedish life at sea." – Dana Schwartz (24:50)
• "Greyhound trying to shift to a computerized bus reservation system in 1993 and NASA's reportedly flawed process leading up to the Challenger space shuttle disaster." – Dana Schwartz (28:20)

For more engaging historical insights, tune into future episodes of Noble Blood on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.