CLASSIC
DIVE BOOKS
VASA.
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HOMEPAGE |
On the 10th August 1628 at about 3
o'clock in the afternoon, the Royal Ship "Nya Wassen" as she was then known
left Stockholm on her maiden voyage. On board were the crew and their families
totaling some 25O persons the exact figure not being recorded. She
was towed for a short distance when - " four sails were set, but within
one mile from the quay, a light squall heeled the vessel over and water
poured through her lower gun-ports. The catastrophe was a national
disaster, not only because of the loss of life of some 50 people, but for
the effect on a nation at war.
The Vasa lay on Stockholm harbour in 35 metres of water for 333 years. In 1956 she was discovered by Anders Franzen, and on the 24th April 1961, the vessel broke the surface after a salvage effort lasting four years. She now rests in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, an epitaph for those lost, and a monument to those who saved her. See article
on the Vasa.
Please note: The books are listed for interest only, and not offered for sale. |
VASA | |
THE RAISING OF THE VASA
The Rebirth of a Swedish galleon. Roy Saunders. Oldbourne Book Co. Ltd, London. 1962. Hardcover, dustjacket, 88 pages, mono prints. From the fly: On August 10th, 1628, the giant battle galleon Vasa set sail from Stockholm and, within a few minutes, sank. The Vasa was the biggest battleship of the day and the pride of Imperial Sweden. In the centuries that followed many attempts were made to salvage her. But not until 1956, when her exact location was discovered by Anders Franzen of Stockholm, was it possible to bring the skill of modern engineers to the task. Today, the great ship, raised from its resting place on the seabed, is a Swedish national monument. Scientists and craftsmen are engaged in the task of ensuring its preservation. Because of the nature of the water in that part of the sea, the Vasa was brought to the surface intact. The hulk contained perfectly preserved arms and utensils of a vanished age; around it were strewn great quantities of woodcarving - of gods, kings, knights, mermaids, dragons, lions, demons, cherubs; symbolic works of art from a fantastic Baroque period. It contained the centuries - old skeletons of Swedish fighting mariners. The story of the sinking of the Vasa and its reclamation is graphically told by Roy Saunders in this enthralling book. [ps] |
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THE SWEDISH WARSHIP WASA
Lars Ake Kvarning & Bengt Ohrelius Published by Macmillan Press Ltd in the UK in 1988. Printed card covers, no DJ with 36 printed pages. Dimensions: 21 cms tall by 29.7 cms wide This large format book is aimed at the juvenile reader was originally published in 1972 but this 1988 reprint. It is extremely well illustrated with very many diagrams, drawings, charts and photographs, many of which are in colour. The book covers the Vasa from the building to the loss and eventual salvage, preservation and display in the tremendous Vasa Museum in Stockholm. The book is divided into logical sections heades: "Why the Vasa", "Building the Vasa", "Joining the Fleet", "Life on Board", "The Crew", "Seamanship", "Fighting Power", ""Maiden Voyage", "Disaster", "Salvage", "Recovering the Vasa", "Preservation and Restoration", "The Power and Glory" and "The Wasa Museum". Although aimed at the younger reader, the book compliments the other Vasa books. [pt]. |
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THE VASA VENTURE
Lars Widding. Published 1962. Hardcover, 100 pages with pictures and illustrations. From eBay description: There are about four books about the loss,discovery and susequent salvage of the Swedish warship Vasa which sank in Stockholm harbour in 1628 in similar circumstances as the Mary Rose.This ornate warship, pride of the Swedish navy,sank into deep mud, to be preserved for hundreds of years.Though not before she was the scene of an audacious salvage,whereby an open diving bell was used to recover some of the bronze cannons.She was eventually found in the 1950s and hard hat divers tunneled beneath her hull to sling and raise her to the surface to be preserved in her own dock.This book is the scarcest of the four and a very good read. [ps] |
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THE WARSHIP VASA
Anders Franzen Norstedt and Bonnier, Stockholm, 1960. Profusely illustrated with drawings, maps and historic photographs. Limited edition, only (?) 15,000 copies printed. Fascinating well illustrated account of the Swedish warship Vasa, sunk in a sudden squall just off Stockholm in 1628, and her salvage. The Warship Vasa was built in the early 17th century when Sweden was a great power. She was one of the mightiest warships, and, as such, was richly ornamented. On August, 1628 she sank in Stockholm. In this volume, Anders Franzen, the originator of the salvage project, presents the historical background of the Vasa, the recovery process and the plans for the future. Also: THE WARSHIP VASA, DEEP DIVING AND MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY IN STOCKHOLM. Anders Franzen. Nordiska Uppslagbocker, Sweden, 1961 (2nd.ed, revised) 4to - over 9" - 12" tall. Hardcover, cloth/dust jacket; 84 pages of the exploration of the Vasa. A great many interesting photographs. The story of the rediscovery, salvage and preservation of the Swedish warship Vasa which sank in Stockholm harbour in 1628. [ps] |
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VASA - THE KING'S SHIP
Commander Bengt Ohrelius. Publisihed 1962. Hardcover, dustjacket, 124 pages with photographs and illustrations. |
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See also photo of bow, above. |
VASA - The Story of a Swedish Warship
Co-Authors Maria Dalhead, Marika Hedin, Klas Helmerson, Fred Hocker, Magnus Olofsson and Katarina Villner Executive Editor: Marika Hedin Co-Published by: Bonnier Fakta Publishing House and The Vasa Museum in Sweden in 2011 Hard back protected in a cardboard sleeve; 63 printed pages Dimensions: 29 cms tall by 32 cms wide (inside protected sleeve) I bought this book on a visit to the VASA museum in Stockholm and don't believe it is available anywhere else. This is a true delight to own as it is so well illustrated, not only with many coloured photographs and drawings but many reproductions documents are included from the early 1600's through the ages up until the recovery when a reproduction newspaper is included. It was produced to celebrate the golden jubilee of the salvage operations which began on the 24th April, 1961, Anders Franzen having discovered the wreck in 1956. The book explains why and how the Vasa was built, describes her loss, the inquiry that followed and the dramatic endeavours to salvage and preserve her. It is divided into 32 chapters: "Europe and the World in 1628", "Sweden in 1628", "War and Politics Round the Baltic", "Gustav II Adolf", "Naval Warfare in the 17th Century", "The Swedish Navy", "The Building of the Vasa", "Anatomy of the Ship", "Vasa Images", "The Carvings", "A Floating Community", "A Battered Crew" "Disease and Cure", "What the Finds Tell Us", "The Food on Board", "Sailing in the Days of the Vasa", "Sinking", "The Inquest", "Early Attempts at Salvage", "The Years on the Seabed", "The First Lifting Operation", "The Vasa Refloated", "More About the Salvage", "Excavation", "Conservation", "Re-Assembling the Vasa", "The Vasa Today and Tomorrow", "The Wasa or Vasa", "Who Wrote What?", "Facsimile Texts" and "Picture Credits". As a real bonus, the book also includes an interesting DVD about the Vasa history, discovery, salvage and conservation which is truly fascinating. As a second bonus, there is also a ticket in the back for the museum which, as the book can only seem to be purchased inside the museum, is an investment for my next visit! I can only describe my visit to Stockholm to see the Vasa a dream fulfilled, the wreck amazing me more than I could ever imagined. Where else can you see a ship built in 1628 that is 95% complete? [pt] |
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