The Vasa was a 64-gun warship built over the period 1626-1628 for King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. The ship was fitted with an extra gun deck
without consideration for the sailing characteristics and enlarged per measurements ordained by the king. Vasa was decorated with sculptures
that were intended to glorify the authority, wisdom and martial prowess of the monarch, and also to deride, taunt and frighten the enemy.

Despite clearly lacking stability even in port, she was allowed to set sail, mainly due to the impatience of Gustavus Adolphus to see
her join the Baltic fleet in the Thirty Years' War. After sailing only a mile into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628, the vessel,
caught by a gust of wind, keeled over and sank. The survivors clung on to debris to save themselves and many boats that
were nearby rushed to aid them, but despite their efforts and the short distance to the land, 30 to 50 people were
trapped in the ship and perished.

in 1956 amateur archaeologist Anders Franzén started looking for Vasa and found her in an upright position at a depth of 32 meters.
The ship was ultimately salvaged in 1961. The Vasa Museum housing the Vasa opened in 1990.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_%28ship%29 for a very thorough article on the Vasa.