Our mini-series on Maritime Disasters continues with the Vasa, the mighty flagship of the Swedish king, Gustavus Adolphus. Built between 1626 and 1628 Vasa was the pinnacle of Swedish artistic and scientific achievement. She was the most sophisticated warship ever built in Sweden, built at a time when Swedish seapower was on the rise. By the mid 1620s Sweden had become a major player in the naval and maritime make up of northern Europe and Gustavus Adolphus had established himself as a king with muscle and intent. Thousands came to the waterside in Stockholm to watch the maiden voyage of this most prestigious ship, and thousands watched in disbelief as she rolled over and sank. Salvaged in 1961 with all of her secrets intact Vasa is now one of the world's most important museum ships and a time-capsule of seventeenth century maritime and royal power. To find out more Dr Sam Willis spoke with Dr Fred Hocker, Director of Research at the Vasa museum in Stockholm.

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