gallery: The head
The head, or galleon, is the decorative platform hanging out from the bow of the ship. It was used to assist in the handling of the headsails, and was (more prosaically) used as the crew's toilets. The structure was very richly decorated. Galleons, as in "a Spanish treasure galleon", are called galleons precisely because they have such a structure on the bows. Older ships did not.
gallery: The stern and quarter galleries
This part of the ship is where the officers lived. It rose high, high above the water and was richly decorated.
gallery: Some photos of the deck of the ship
Unusually for the time, Vasa had a continuous upper deck running from the bow to the stern. Usual practice was to have a large opening in the deck amidships, so that the forecastle and quarterdeck were individual structures. Again, Vasa's builders went for a more solid, heavier solution... no wonder she was unstable.
gallery: Rigging details
Only the lower masts are mounted on the hull. This is representative of a ship lying "in ordinary", or in reserve, rigged-down for the winter.
21-FEB-2006
Vasa model
The ship is too big to let one get a sense of its overall look. Fortunately this very well-made model is displayed on the ground floor, which does the job. The size of the rig is apparent; these vessels were as tall as they were long.
21-FEB-2006
View of the quarter
Shot taken from the stern forward. You get an idea of the size of the thing.
21-FEB-2006
Stern overview
Side-on view of the stern. It is very tall, typical of ship-construction of the time (1628). Of course this was very detrimental to the sailing qualities of the ship, giving a huge "sail" area built in to the hull itself. This photo was taken from about waterline level in fact!
21-FEB-2006
Transom detail
Detail of the flat transom of the ship, taken from waterline level. One can see the four gun-ports where artillery could be run out to defend the very vulnerable stern of the ship from attackers from the rear. Also, note the very steep angle of the transom planking.
21-FEB-2006
Quarter overview
Taken from above, obviously. The tall, narrow shape of the hull is apparent.
21-FEB-2006
A view of the quarter
The double quarter-gallery is interesting, I do not know of any other ship of the time that had these. The usual practice was to only have the lower of the two galleries. All this top-weight did nothing to improve stability of course.
21-FEB-2006
A closer look at the hull
The forward end of the side-galleries. You can see the mizzen mast chain-plates.
21-FEB-2006
Detail of the ship's side
Showing details of the gun-port arrangements, with a rope to slam the port shut. Also note the design of the main channel boards and chain-plates - in fact solid iron bars rather than chain at this date.
21-FEB-2006
Original colours
The ship today is dark and brooding. Originally she was brightly painted, as you can see here.
21-FEB-2006
Gun-carriage
The Swedish king at the time, Gustav Adolf, was great proponent of artillery. So it should not be too surprising that Vasa carried state-of-the art naval gun carriages. This type of gun carriage remained in use until after the Napoleonic wars with only minor modifications.
21-FEB-2006
Ship's boat
Ships at this time were equipped with a very big ship's boat, usually towed behind the ship rather than stowed aboard it. It was used to carry men and equipment to and from the ship, and was big enough to be used independently (on a small scale of course). It has a large windlass midships to help in anchor-handling, and had a mast and sail.
21-FEB-2006
Ship's boat stern detail
You get an idea of the extremely rugged construction of this boat.
21-FEB-2006
Ships's boat windlass
The windlass was used to assist when handling the very heavy ship's anchor. Spokes were inserted into the holes in the windlass drum.
21-FEB-2006
Ship's boat detail
You can see the mast supports.