A question on the "meta" of Naval History: How would sources from outside of the Navy, like say for Jane's Fighting Ships, gather information about modern warships of the time? Wikipedia mentions that early on they were his own sketches, did he visit ports of each nation? Were there press releases of sorts he compiled? Seems challenging without the internet
The USN Fast Carrier Task Force of WWII made the decision NOT to maneuver under attack. From Wiki:"Other than this measure, the carriers in the task group would not take evasive action from their attackers. This was in marked contrast with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but the choice made for more stable platforms for the anti-aircraft fire of all the ships in the task group and allowed the ships in the group to sail more closely together." Since the IJN was very effective at dodging bombs, was this the right policy?
I can attest to the experience of seeing the ship. There is only one word for it really, Majestic. I brought my fiancé there early in our relationship. She's not at all interested in history, and also not originally from sweden, so she did not know what to expect (she was expecting a viking ship and was secretly very confused as to why I was so enthusiastic about something so unimpressive xD). It was mid November, below freezing (-11°C), windy and snowing. We took the train to Stockholm and walked from the station, about 30 minutes I think. She was pretty annoyed with me, and I was worried I'd fucked up badly (we were only about six months in). We arrive at the museum and get our tickets, and then we enter through the first set of doors, and I can feel the mood change. Then we enter through the second set, and my fiancé just stops. She stands there, just looking, mouth actually a little open, for a very, very long moment. The hall of the museum is immense, the size and height of a medium-size arena, but cast mostly in darkness, with deep shadows looming in the corners and under the rafters, creating an almost oppressive feeling when the museum is empty of visitors. The ship looms out of the darkness in the center of the hall like an ancient, eldritch shadow, brightly lit from above. Leading with the curved prow and broken bowsprit, as if still sailing, with the broken masts perched under the shadows of the ceiling above.. She is elegant and imposing, massive but sleek. Ancient and worn but proud and full of the weight of history. She is a ghost ship, a whisper and a memory of an age long past, but so present and so tangible that the hall is full of the slightly sour, musky scent of ancient oak. Needless to say my fiancé was completely blown away, and that day is a cherished memory for us both. For anyone who has read this far and has never been to the museum: Go if you ever have the chance, it really is a sight to behold. It is really best seen in the off season in the middle of the day. When the museum is empty there is a sort of strange power in the air, a somber, dignified silence like that of a cathedral, that naturally makes one speak in hushed tones and half-whispers, lest one disturb the sleeping lady or offend the ghosts of those for whom she became a tomb.
Wow, the way you described it I could almost feel the old girl. And that is the way the architects of that building wanted visitors to see Vasa. The closest I have come to something like that is the U505. The first time I saw it, the Submarine was outside and you couldn't see it but it had entry and exit doors to visit the interior. The next time I visited they had made a building just for it and as you walked in, you actually felt the power of the boat. Oh, and you can thank those architects because from the sounds of it, your girlfriend was pissed about being dragged out in the snow and cold just to visit and old boat, now she is your fianc'ee sorry but my computer won't let me spell fianc'ee properly. don't shoot me, shoot Microsoft.
When I stood outside the museum I had not much expectations at all. I thought I would see an ugly black-brown wreck large as a school bus, and that the rest of the museum would just be filled with random maritime items of various time periods. But I was wrong. Instead did I see a gigantic ship 5 floors tall and also very long and wide. Its wood was dark and ugly. But when you walked closer to it you could still see great handicraft and sculptures everywhere in the ships rear which were amazingly preserved. I tried to photo the ship a hundred times. But not a single photo can do this gigant justice. The ship is simply too big to capture with a camera from any angle. I walked up some stairs to look down on the top of the ship - and there I could see ropes, masts and holes going down to the ships interior and such details. Its amazing to see what a typical ship of the 1600s could looklike. This ship is like the pirates of the Caribbean for real. The ship is huge and must have been very heavy. 10.000 oak trees died to build this gigant. But still is this ship only half the size of ships that entered service only some decades later. Its fantastic that this big ship could be brought up from the bottom despite being so heavy and huge. And that it is so well preserved despite being so old.
I travelled to Sweden in February 2005 and had some spare time in Gothenburg. I can attest to the low temperature of the water in the harbour, as our cross-river ferry had to force its way past small iceflows, some of which were occupied by huuuuuuge grey Swedish seagulls, much larger than the white ones we have in Oz ! we walked into the display hall and were stunned by the size and beauty of the Vasa.
Vasamuseet is one of the best museums I ever seen in my life and certainly the most impressive. It was unforgettable voyage in time and I'm really glad I had a chance to take it.
I visited the Vasa museum this late summer. I was just in awe when I entered through the 3 doors and lay my eyes on the ship for the first time. I got to see lots of historical places and museums over the years but the Vasa is simply on another level. The extensive well presented knowledge of Dr. Fred Hocker in these videos/interviews matches exactly what you can expect of a visit of the museum. A must see if you ever get to Stockholm.
Wow Drach! You have really raised this channel to a new level with this VASA series. Hopefully you'll be able to visit the USS Constitution, The Bremen Cog and others like maybe a Viking ship and do similar series one day. Your level of interest and understanding of the subject allows you to ask insightful questions that most of us wouldn't think of asking. Keep up the excellent work!
“Okay, Guys, I know this looks bad, but trust me! In 400 years, Sweden WILL thank us for this!” -Swedish shipwright, moments after watching the ship he just built tip over.
@@Edax_Royeaux For the USN lookup the USS Hartford(of Civil War fame) and the USS Oregon (of Spanish American War fame). Neglect and monstrous stupidity.
@@delurkor sad stories, all, but the world's navies are funded to engage in the business of "contemporary issues," not of maintaining future museum pieces. Wanna discuss _USS Constellation,_ too? Motto: _Who's been sleeping in my porridge?_
I visited her when she was still being sprayed with PEG. For me, it was the high point of a trip to Scandinavia. As I also visited the Oslo Viking Museum and Fram that might say more about me than Vasa? Nevertheless, I would suggest you find a way to see her in the flesh. I will not get another chance, and that is most unfortunate.
@@John.0z when I was there the first time.. I think it was in 1984 they was finished spraying the hull, ut they was still spraying the details not atatched.
@@matsv201 My visit was mid '70s. I spent most of the day shuttling between the ship hall and the exhibits and information in an annex. In one of the information displays there was mention that her longboat had recently been retrieved, and was undergoing treatment. I found it sitting almost underneath the ship. The camera I had with me was not all that advanced, but I set it for maximum exposure, braced it against the handrail... and the shot came out! In the photo I could see the longboat better than I could in person. Clearly I still find that visit exciting. :-)
This is incredible. We, as a human civilization, have never had more access to more of our own history and yet been so willfully ignorant of it, generally speaking. Thank you for taking this time and posting this!!
Like that Global War we had back in '99 before Macross Island was plowed by Zor's fortress and we all came together as brothers in Robotechnology. Cheers from Vermillion Squadron, bud ;)
The first I heard of the Vasa was an article in National Geographic in the late 60's or early 70's. Interesting to see the progress of preservation. Thank you sir, for this series,
I'm a Stockholmer and the Vasa museum is my favourite museum to which I've been at least twenty times. The first time when I was a child when the ship was in it's preservation stage, and latest with my five year old granddaughter. She also loved it and asked me the other day if we could go back again. I urge you all to make a visit if at all possible.
Yes Drach, we have enjoyed it very much :) I was especially suprised to hear how much of a time capsul Vasa was regarding ordinary swedish peopel. Also having "conscripts from the land" manning the ships sounds like an interesting topic for a Video.
I was awestruck by the ship the first time I visited as a kid. I walked away with several books and trinkets from the gift shop and still remember pestering my parents with facts from a very nice illustrated book about the ship. This museum and a few other close by are on my short list for a trip once the pandemic is over.
I am very dismayed by the so called comments section here. They are all informative, adult and also constructive when they are not totally complimentary. What sort of people are you?
It is one of the most interesting objects of history that one can go and look at today in a museum! I knew I wanted to see it some day, but now I know it will have to be sooner rather than later :)
I've watched both parts and am finding this quite interesting! Dr. Hocker is well spoken (as is our esteemed host, of course!). Looking forward to the next two parts! Well done, Drach!
What a wonderfully knowledgable and fantastic museum curator and historian! He probably gets the questions you asked, asked to him many many times during the year and he is still able to answer with enthusiasm! I need to go there again. My parents told me they visited the museum when I was 2 or 3 years old.
Fascinating! Our 3 hour visit to the Vasa was the highlight of our visit to Stockholm. There is truly nothing like it. I look forward to seeing the upcoming two parts of your coverage.
I visit Sweden relatively often the last 10 years but my only visit to the museum was when I just got 12 years old. Thank you for the refresher- remembered so much of what I had forgotten. Going in the top of my list for 2025.
Just watching this video all over again and it's work of the highest quality from both presenters, plus the many people who made this happen. We will visit and enjoy - keep safe ship mates.
Drach, you're a good interviewer. This interview, the one with the director of the USS Texas, and your collaborative chats show great prep and interesting questions
When I was growing up in the 1960's, one of my uncles had a subscription to Popular Mechanics magazine, and I remember a very detailed article on the raising of the Wasa. It included models in an aquarium tank showing how it was raised, photos in the drydock with the PEG spray, and some of the recovered carvings. Obviously it was fascinating enough that I can recall much of it, I wish I could have preserved it. If I ever got to visit it, I would budget several days, in order to see, and absorb, as much as possible.
I don't know this for a fact, but what people say is that the Swedish Navy arranged for an oak tree orchard at Visingsö, in lake Vättern, close to where I live. Back in the sixteen hundreds. To build war ships from. They figured they would be ready for harvest in the nineteen hundreds. Talk about planning ahead. But what do you know, the oak trees were fully grown and ready to harvest when the Vasa museum needed them for the repair of the Vasa wreck, and for building the replica parts in the museum. So mission accomplished, just as planned! Anyways, if you are anywhere near Visingsö, visit it! A very nice little island in a large lake. And visit Gränna, from where the ferry leaves, it is a very peculiar little town, squeezed in between a rock face and this large lake. Very pretty. And they have the Andrée Museum, about the failed Swedish 1897 balloon expedition to the North Pole. It didn't end well. Champagne, starvation, and polar bears. But let's not talk about that now.
For what I read after a quick googleing is that that forest was grown in the 1830s by the navy. Which is quite understandable given the dramatically changed strategic situation for Sweden. It had just lost Finland and the Baltics to Russia and Pomerania had been lost to Prussia. So most of the oak tree growing areas had been lost when Sweden lost its Baltic and North German provinces. And the need for timber was important for national security. Warships made from iron and steel had still not had their breacktrough. So oak timber was needed for warships. Since this type of wood is very hard and durable, it is therefore being the gold standard material for building warships (While cheap low quality wood from spruce was used to build some merchant ships). The strategic situation had changed along with Sweden's new borders. Stockholm was no longer located in the middle of the Swedish Baltic empire. With the loss of Finland did now Russian troops now sit very close to the Swedish capital which now were located on the eastern part of the new Sweden. Having a navy to protect this vulnerable Capital from an amphibous invasion now became important. In the past was Sweden's main shield against Russian aggression the Swedish army and the border fortresses in Finland along the border with Russia. But they fell into Russian hands after bribes and treason, and Finland was thereby lost in 1809. And so did Swedish owned Finland history end after 800 years. Anyways. I am no tree expert but I think that a tree needs about 30 years to grow. So I don't think centuries of planning is necessary. But decades of planning is however long term indeed. Especially back in those days when people died at the age of 35 or 50. But I think this project did indeed involve much planning. You need many oak trees (10.000!) just to build a warship like Vasa which was less than half the size of the warships of the 1700s. And making a forrest and then cutting down all trees at once doesn't work if you want a long term substainable supply of timber for the navy for all time to come. At most can you cut down 1-3% of all trees in a forrest if you wanna stay within a substainable rate. So you can cut down 3 trees out of 100. And then you have to plant new trees and wait 30 years before they can replace the trees you just have cut down.
Really appreciate these episodes. I loved the Vasa museum when I was a kid. I probably visited two dozen times or so. But my last visit was decades ago. Time for another visit I think!
Yeah, this is where it all started for me as a 5 year old boy (38 years ago). Though that was in the old museum. Magnificent museum, probably the best of its kind in the world.
@@dzejrid i'm not a sailor nor a marine engineer, i just interpret that as [a 300 year old shipwrecked hull was not only strong enough to be raised, but strong enough to float on its own]
Extremely interesting ! I’m looking forward for the next videos ! I had the occasion while in Stockholm in the late seventies to visit it while still under sprinklers and I was subjugated by this wonderful ship and his size ! I have some documents and photos of that time and drawing Fantastic ! Thanks for this wonderful series !
The drydock that the Vasa museum is built in was used very rarely in the 1980's The Stockholm naval station had moved to Muskö the famous underground naval base in the Southern Archipelago of Stockholm. The drydocks next to where Vasa sank was also part of the naval base, the base occupied much of the small islands in central Stockholm. Much of the old buildings from the naval base where gone already in the 1980's around where the Vasa museum is today as that area was the first area the navy left when they moved to Muskö. The Vasa was actually built right across the water from the Vasa museum on the island opposite it. Vasa also sank in 1628 so Stockholm was the main naval base at that time. After the war with Denmark in 1658 Sweden gained Blekinge and the main naval base was moved to a newly constructed base and town named Karlskrona. This was necessary as the Danish navy had always had an advantage in training because the ice in the Baltic broke up much later in Stockholm than in Copenhagen, so when the Swedish navy set to sea for spring training the already trained danish navy could be waiting for them.
@@KR4FTW3RK There are maps of it's layout floating around. They have three major tunnels into the mountain, one of them is a full shipyard and there is a smaller tunnel for submarines. One of the nearby islands also has a large tunnel but it has limited support facilities (Älvsnabben). The base had a full hospital underground and all the support facilities of a naval base.
Excellent follow up interview, I will make a point of visiting this museum when I finally get to Sweden! Thank you for making this video and the work that goes into all your videos. Look forward to watching the follow up videos on the Vasa!
Most viewers don't know you handcuffed his ankles to the chair. You did set him free after those 8 longs days. Drachinifel is this devoted to getting us nothing but the BEST of content, even at that chaps freedom (temporary) 🤔 Excellent video drach. Very well thought out
Thank You Drach, due to health reasons I'll never get there so this is the next best thing, Dr Hocker is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, Thamk's Again to both of you 👍
Drach, you need to go on a trip on one of the Tall ships still sailing. I’m sure it would give you such an interesting perspective to bring on going forward!
Just fascinating history and the gentleman that you interviewed was my type of person. Very fascinated by ordinary people of the time and the way that he spoke of the thimble and the iron in the cannon ball, he just wants to know as much as he can about every little thing. Drachinifel, you do some amazing work, just superb.
At around 28 minutes in - the sinking punch that brought up the sample of waterlogged black oak, yeah, I remember that from the stories about how the Vasa was found. I wasn't even born when this happened, but ten years later, it was still common knowledge here in Sweden. And I remember the Vasa museum back then, basically just a tent of sorts, with concrete arches I think, and milky windows of glass fiber or something, and constant water spray with some kind of conserving additive in it. Very hot, very humid, and nothing to see but the brown, murky and wet ship wreck itself. From a very close distance, so you couldn't really get the big picture. The current Vasa museum is a totally different beast, it is so great! A must see!
I can’t remember if you addressed the asymmetry in the building of the ship. This was a really interesting point to me when I visited the ship (at least 2 times). There were two teams each with one half of the hull split down the middle. No one checked their measuring tool to see if both sides were using were the same length for a given length. They weren’t. Makes the ship look funny
I had the privilege of seeing raw ROV footage of several old wrecks in the bottom of the Baltic Sea. One that it i remember the best was a very old wooden boat. It was very well preserved, due to the artificial light (which gave strange tones) it seemed like it just that it had fallen apart as all the iron nails and similar had eroded away but would otherwise been just fine. Also... You should have ask the Swedes about the runner statue (Paavo Nurmi statue) that was found aboard the Vasa.
Fantastic will be making time to go visit when its re-opened since i am now fortunate enough to live in the same city as this marvellous piece of history!!!
Remember visiting it as an kid back in the early 80's I was very impressed. They did not have the replicate part then I visited just two guns and a replicate of the hull around the two guns outside. We kids was all over the guns :)
Good god it's like you and Dr. Clarke are in a race to document ALL naval history as quickly as possible. Do you have a playlist or recommendations about contemporary navy issues? (checks your site)
I recommend the bilgepumps podcast on cimsec org, it is hosted by dr clarcke and drachinifel and armored carriers. The podcast covers current stuff. (Cimsec is the center for international maritime Security)
I've been to the museum, and I enjoy this series :) I will ofc also revisit the museum next time I'm in Stockholm! Nothing beats seeing these ships IRL.
The Vasa Museum was always the high point when I lived in Stockholm and got foreign friends visiting and I tried to show off Stockholm at it best. In everyday life I was not at all satisfied with Stockholm. But when the guests come I panic and I have to show off the best parts of the city, I myself get impressed how fantastic it can be in the setting Summer Sun. On for example a boat back from Waxholm at the Sun set. Even guys who know nothing about history or navy admire most of all Wasa. Only thing that could beat that would be the Nobel Prize in November, but I'm not allowed in there then.
Pinned post for Q&A :)
Where is Part 1?
Please add a link to the description.
Thank you.
@@JohnGeometresMaximos Here: ua-cam.com/video/Wp37g7Edjpo/v-deo.html
@@JohnGeometresMaximos Part 1 ua-cam.com/video/Wp37g7Edjpo/v-deo.html
A question on the "meta" of Naval History: How would sources from outside of the Navy, like say for Jane's Fighting Ships, gather information about modern warships of the time? Wikipedia mentions that early on they were his own sketches, did he visit ports of each nation? Were there press releases of sorts he compiled? Seems challenging without the internet
The USN Fast Carrier Task Force of WWII made the decision NOT to maneuver under attack. From Wiki:"Other than this measure, the carriers in the task group would not take evasive action from their attackers. This was in marked contrast with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but the choice made for more stable platforms for the anti-aircraft fire of all the ships in the task group and allowed the ships in the group to sail more closely together."
Since the IJN was very effective at dodging bombs, was this the right policy?
Met a Swede the other day and she was astounded by my intimate knowledge of the Vasa. I now bathe in Drach’s reflected glory🤣
Did you talk her into your bed?
@@siggesaltens2663, for me talking about ww1 German Battlecruisers with them works the best.
@@KentuckyAk101guy I like the Von Der Tann
@HDJ - I hope you used soap while bathing, otherwise it's a waste of Drach's good bathwater.
@@v0nndermaxx Me too. Since I was a kid she fascinated me.
I can attest to the experience of seeing the ship. There is only one word for it really, Majestic.
I brought my fiancé there early in our relationship. She's not at all interested in history, and also not originally from sweden, so she did not know what to expect (she was expecting a viking ship and was secretly very confused as to why I was so enthusiastic about something so unimpressive xD). It was mid November, below freezing (-11°C), windy and snowing. We took the train to Stockholm and walked from the station, about 30 minutes I think. She was pretty annoyed with me, and I was worried I'd fucked up badly (we were only about six months in).
We arrive at the museum and get our tickets, and then we enter through the first set of doors, and I can feel the mood change. Then we enter through the second set, and my fiancé just stops. She stands there, just looking, mouth actually a little open, for a very, very long moment.
The hall of the museum is immense, the size and height of a medium-size arena, but cast mostly in darkness, with deep shadows looming in the corners and under the rafters, creating an almost oppressive feeling when the museum is empty of visitors.
The ship looms out of the darkness in the center of the hall like an ancient, eldritch shadow, brightly lit from above. Leading with the curved prow and broken bowsprit, as if still sailing, with the broken masts perched under the shadows of the ceiling above.. She is elegant and imposing, massive but sleek. Ancient and worn but proud and full of the weight of history.
She is a ghost ship, a whisper and a memory of an age long past, but so present and so tangible that the hall is full of the slightly sour, musky scent of ancient oak.
Needless to say my fiancé was completely blown away, and that day is a cherished memory for us both.
For anyone who has read this far and has never been to the museum: Go if you ever have the chance, it really is a sight to behold.
It is really best seen in the off season in the middle of the day. When the museum is empty there is a sort of strange power in the air, a somber, dignified silence like that of a cathedral, that naturally makes one speak in hushed tones and half-whispers, lest one disturb the sleeping lady or offend the ghosts of those for whom she became a tomb.
Have seen it twice, and I can only agree.
You sir, are a poet. If shewill not marry you now, I would!
Wow, the way you described it I could almost feel the old girl. And that is the way the architects of that building wanted visitors to see Vasa.
The closest I have come to something like that is the U505. The first time I saw it, the Submarine was outside and you couldn't see it but it had entry and exit doors to visit the interior. The next time I visited they had made a building just for it and as you walked in, you actually felt the power of the boat.
Oh, and you can thank those architects because from the sounds of it, your girlfriend was pissed about being dragged out in the snow and cold just to visit and old boat, now she is your fianc'ee
sorry but my computer won't let me spell fianc'ee properly. don't shoot me, shoot Microsoft.
When I stood outside the museum I had not much expectations at all. I thought I would see an ugly black-brown wreck large as a school bus, and that the rest of the museum would just be filled with random maritime items of various time periods.
But I was wrong.
Instead did I see a gigantic ship 5 floors tall and also very long and wide. Its wood was dark and ugly. But when you walked closer to it you could still see great handicraft and sculptures everywhere in the ships rear which were amazingly preserved.
I tried to photo the ship a hundred times. But not a single photo can do this gigant justice. The ship is simply too big to capture with a camera from any angle.
I walked up some stairs to look down on the top of the ship - and there I could see ropes, masts and holes going down to the ships interior and such details.
Its amazing to see what a typical ship of the 1600s could looklike. This ship is like the pirates of the Caribbean for real.
The ship is huge and must have been very heavy. 10.000 oak trees died to build this gigant.
But still is this ship only half the size of ships that entered service only some decades later.
Its fantastic that this big ship could be brought up from the bottom despite being so heavy and huge. And that it is so well preserved despite being so old.
I travelled to Sweden in February 2005 and had some spare time in Gothenburg. I can attest to the low temperature of the water in the harbour, as our cross-river ferry had to force its way past small iceflows, some of which were occupied by huuuuuuge grey Swedish seagulls, much larger than the white ones we have in Oz !
we walked into the display hall and were stunned by the size and beauty of the Vasa.
Vasa hasn’t been sunk, it’s undergone a submarine conversion.
- Swedish admiralty
It didn't sink, since the mast were still above the waterline, it merely ran aground.
Wargaming (probably): "Interesting idea, and probably historically accurate to someone's imagination...."
@@Alobo075 you know, using that logic you can say that no ship is ever more than 7 miles from land!
That's some Sunless Sea vibes right there.
a mood that was later adopted by german light cruisers, if I remember correctly.
"The ship is not lost, it is just considered underwater." ah yes quite..
Was Drach writing this script?
It’s a submarine now
I'm guess it was the same attitude at Pearl Harbor.
still in the navy books until the 1960...the hidden reserve fleet
It suffered an inadvertent & temporary vertical displacement.
Vasamuseet is one of the best museums I ever seen in my life and certainly the most impressive. It was unforgettable voyage in time and I'm really glad I had a chance to take it.
I visited the Vasa museum this late summer. I was just in awe when I entered through the 3 doors and lay my eyes on the ship for the first time. I got to see lots of historical places and museums over the years but the Vasa is simply on another level. The extensive well presented knowledge of Dr. Fred Hocker in these videos/interviews matches exactly what you can expect of a visit of the museum. A must see if you ever get to Stockholm.
When the Sweedish admiralty said to put Vasa in deep reserve, her captain took them a little too literally...
Wow Drach! You have really raised this channel to a new level with this VASA series. Hopefully you'll be able to visit the USS Constitution, The Bremen Cog and others like maybe a Viking ship and do similar series one day. Your level of interest and understanding of the subject allows you to ask insightful questions that most of us wouldn't think of asking. Keep up the excellent work!
This interview you conducted there is a true delight to watch:
Both your questions and Dr. Hocker's eloquence and expertise make this a rare treat!
This man knows a lot and is so articulate. Hearing him is such delight.
“Okay, Guys, I know this looks bad, but trust me! In 400 years, Sweden WILL thank us for this!”
-Swedish shipwright, moments after watching the ship he just built tip over.
Some of you are going to die... that is a price that im Willing to pay
Meanwhile the British dynamited the 74 gun ship of the line HMS Implacable in 1949 rather than preserve it.
Always a good idea to over-egg it on the ballast for the maiden voyage! Shame, really, but as you say, some good has come of it.
@@Edax_Royeaux For the USN lookup the USS Hartford(of Civil War fame) and the USS Oregon (of Spanish American War fame). Neglect and monstrous stupidity.
@@delurkor sad stories, all, but the world's navies are funded to engage in the business of "contemporary issues," not of maintaining future museum pieces.
Wanna discuss _USS Constellation,_ too?
Motto: _Who's been sleeping in my porridge?_
This interview is probably the closest I'll ever get to visiting the museum.
I visited her when she was still being sprayed with PEG. For me, it was the high point of a trip to Scandinavia. As I also visited the Oslo Viking Museum and Fram that might say more about me than Vasa? Nevertheless, I would suggest you find a way to see her in the flesh. I will not get another chance, and that is most unfortunate.
@@John.0z when I was there the first time.. I think it was in 1984 they was finished spraying the hull, ut they was still spraying the details not atatched.
@@matsv201 you went recently? You know, because it IS 1984.
Okay, pardon my attempt at humor... "thank you everyone, he'll be here all night."
@@matsv201 My visit was mid '70s. I spent most of the day shuttling between the ship hall and the exhibits and information in an annex. In one of the information displays there was mention that her longboat had recently been retrieved, and was undergoing treatment.
I found it sitting almost underneath the ship. The camera I had with me was not all that advanced, but I set it for maximum exposure, braced it against the handrail... and the shot came out! In the photo I could see the longboat better than I could in person.
Clearly I still find that visit exciting. :-)
This is incredible. We, as a human civilization, have never had more access to more of our own history and yet been so willfully ignorant of it, generally speaking. Thank you for taking this time and posting this!!
Like that Global War we had back in '99 before Macross Island was plowed by Zor's fortress and we all came together as brothers in Robotechnology. Cheers from Vermillion Squadron, bud ;)
The first I heard of the Vasa was an article in National Geographic in the late 60's or early 70's. Interesting to see the progress of preservation. Thank you sir, for this series,
Men, Ships, and The Sea. 1963. My mother sold it in a yard sale.
I'm a Stockholmer and the Vasa museum is my favourite museum to which I've been at least twenty times. The first time when I was a child when the ship was in it's preservation stage, and latest with my five year old granddaughter. She also loved it and asked me the other day if we could go back again. I urge you all to make a visit if at all possible.
It was just added to my bucket list.
Yes Drach, we have enjoyed it very much :) I was especially suprised to hear how much of a time capsul Vasa was regarding ordinary swedish peopel. Also having "conscripts from the land" manning the ships sounds like an interesting topic for a Video.
You wouldn't mind pinning the part 1 to the circled question mark thing on this video where people can pin other videos on?
I was awestruck by the ship the first time I visited as a kid. I walked away with several books and trinkets from the gift shop and still remember pestering my parents with facts from a very nice illustrated book about the ship.
This museum and a few other close by are on my short list for a trip once the pandemic is over.
41:59
Dr Hocker: "He had something else on when the ship sank."
Me: "Allegedly."
I am very dismayed by the so called comments section here. They are all informative, adult and also constructive when they are not totally complimentary. What sort of people are you?
On our best behavior or Drach will have us walk the plank on the way to being keel hauled and whatever is left will be fired from a cannon.
@@sadwingsraging3044 Nah, he'll just take away our rum ration, which is an infinitely worse punishment.
The best kind
Non judgmental !
Vassa: "blub blub."
Mary Rose: "oh hey, fancy meeting you here."
First time?
At least Mary Rose actually did fight enemy capital ships…
It is one of the most interesting objects of history that one can go and look at today in a museum!
I knew I wanted to see it some day, but now I know it will have to be sooner rather than later :)
I've watched both parts and am finding this quite interesting! Dr. Hocker is well spoken (as is our esteemed host, of course!).
Looking forward to the next two parts! Well done, Drach!
'if you wanted to be successful and taken seriously you had carvings on your ship'
40k Imperium of Man ship design in a nutshell
Vasa is so damn cool.
Absolutely incredible to have something that old in that good of a condition.
I feel the same about my Grand pa.
What a wonderfully knowledgable and fantastic museum curator and historian! He probably gets the questions you asked, asked to him many many times during the year and he is still able to answer with enthusiasm! I need to go there again. My parents told me they visited the museum when I was 2 or 3 years old.
Fascinating! Our 3 hour visit to the Vasa was the highlight of our visit to Stockholm. There is truly nothing like it. I look forward to seeing the upcoming two parts of your coverage.
Been looking forward to this one- ships and archaeology and paternal ancestral land!
2spoogy5me
Finally part 2! Thought he forgot about this series
No drachinifel does not forget, he just has years and years worth of content planned so deciding which ones to prioritize can be difficult
Big thanks to Dr Hocker for entertaining UA-cam's best naval historian. It's an incredible artifact.
I visit Sweden relatively often the last 10 years but my only visit to the museum was when I just got 12 years old. Thank you for the refresher- remembered so much of what I had forgotten. Going in the top of my list for 2025.
Giggling! Blank screen intro of Vasa Part Two? Continuity with blank screen outro of Vasa Part One?
I feel like I could ask that man any question imaginable and he will give a perfect answer.
Just watching this video all over again and it's work of the highest quality from both presenters, plus the many people who made this happen. We will visit and enjoy - keep safe ship mates.
Drach, you're a good interviewer. This interview, the one with the director of the USS Texas, and your collaborative chats show great prep and interesting questions
Having a stamp collecting pen pal from Sweden, one of the first booklets she sent me was of the Wasa, which led me to learn more about it.
When I was growing up in the 1960's, one of my uncles had a subscription to Popular Mechanics magazine, and I remember a very detailed article on the raising of the Wasa. It included models in an aquarium tank showing how it was raised, photos in the drydock with the PEG spray, and some of the recovered carvings. Obviously it was fascinating enough that I can recall much of it, I wish I could have preserved it.
If I ever got to visit it, I would budget several days, in order to see, and absorb, as much as possible.
ua-cam.com/video/EzagNAVvMSM/v-deo.html
What a wonderful conversation! I could listen to him for hours!
What a lovely summary of a ship that I would never otherwise have known about. My thanks to you and Dr. Hocker!
Drach you are VERY cheeky when you post the 5 minute guide image at the end :) well played....
Just visited Vasa, a big reason was Drach’s videos. Thanks for giving me an insight into a magnificent ship. One of the best museums I’ve been to.
Truly fascinating to have a ship that old that's so well preserved!
I don't know this for a fact, but what people say is that the Swedish Navy arranged for an oak tree orchard at Visingsö, in lake Vättern, close to where I live. Back in the sixteen hundreds. To build war ships from. They figured they would be ready for harvest in the nineteen hundreds. Talk about planning ahead. But what do you know, the oak trees were fully grown and ready to harvest when the Vasa museum needed them for the repair of the Vasa wreck, and for building the replica parts in the museum. So mission accomplished, just as planned!
Anyways, if you are anywhere near Visingsö, visit it! A very nice little island in a large lake. And visit Gränna, from where the ferry leaves, it is a very peculiar little town, squeezed in between a rock face and this large lake. Very pretty. And they have the Andrée Museum, about the failed Swedish 1897 balloon expedition to the North Pole. It didn't end well. Champagne, starvation, and polar bears. But let's not talk about that now.
For what I read after a quick googleing is that that forest was grown in the 1830s by the navy. Which is quite understandable given the dramatically changed strategic situation for Sweden. It had just lost Finland and the Baltics to Russia and Pomerania had been lost to Prussia. So most of the oak tree growing areas had been lost when Sweden lost its Baltic and North German provinces.
And the need for timber was important for national security. Warships made from iron and steel had still not had their breacktrough. So oak timber was needed for warships. Since this type of wood is very hard and durable, it is therefore being the gold standard material for building warships (While cheap low quality wood from spruce was used to build some merchant ships).
The strategic situation had changed along with Sweden's new borders. Stockholm was no longer located in the middle of the Swedish Baltic empire. With the loss of Finland did now Russian troops now sit very close to the Swedish capital which now were located on the eastern part of the new Sweden.
Having a navy to protect this vulnerable Capital from an amphibous invasion now became important.
In the past was Sweden's main shield against Russian aggression the Swedish army and the border fortresses in Finland along the border with Russia. But they fell into Russian hands after bribes and treason, and Finland was thereby lost in 1809. And so did Swedish owned Finland history end after 800 years.
Anyways. I am no tree expert but I think that a tree needs about 30 years to grow. So I don't think centuries of planning is necessary. But decades of planning is however long term indeed. Especially back in those days when people died at the age of 35 or 50.
But I think this project did indeed involve much planning. You need many oak trees (10.000!) just to build a warship like Vasa which was less than half the size of the warships of the 1700s. And making a forrest and then cutting down all trees at once doesn't work if you want a long term substainable supply of timber for the navy for all time to come.
At most can you cut down 1-3% of all trees in a forrest if you wanna stay within a substainable rate. So you can cut down 3 trees out of 100. And then you have to plant new trees and wait 30 years before they can replace the trees you just have cut down.
Really appreciate these episodes. I loved the Vasa museum when I was a kid. I probably visited two dozen times or so. But my last visit was decades ago. Time for another visit I think!
Thank you Drach, I have been looking forward to this video since the first one on the Vasa, I regret missing you at Ulla Winblad!
Yeah, this is where it all started for me as a 5 year old boy (38 years ago). Though that was in the old museum. Magnificent museum, probably the best of its kind in the world.
Yet another awesome video Drach, keep up the good work
Many, many thanks to you for making this series❤️
Dr Hocker is a very interesting guy, and very good at putting it over.
I have enjoyed this series and additional information.
Thank you from the USA!
34:38 "Refloated on its own keel". that's crazy.
What does it mean actually? Sorry, I'm not a native English speaker.
@@dzejrid i'm not a sailor nor a marine engineer, i just interpret that as [a 300 year old shipwrecked hull was not only strong enough to be raised, but strong enough to float on its own]
@@Cal94 meaning there's life in the old girl.
That gave me goosebumps!
That was shocking. I always assumed it was raised in bits and reassembled.
Thank you, Drachinifel.
This is so inspiring! When I get married and have a daughter, I'm going to name her _Vasaline._
I remember the issue of the National Geographic magazine of the Vasa.
Extremely interesting !
I’m looking forward for the next videos !
I had the occasion while in Stockholm in the late seventies to visit it while still under sprinklers and I was subjugated by this wonderful ship and his size ! I have some documents and photos of that time and drawing
Fantastic ! Thanks for this wonderful series !
The drydock that the Vasa museum is built in was used very rarely in the 1980's
The Stockholm naval station had moved to Muskö the famous underground naval base in the Southern Archipelago of Stockholm.
The drydocks next to where Vasa sank was also part of the naval base, the base occupied much of the small islands in central Stockholm.
Much of the old buildings from the naval base where gone already in the 1980's around where the Vasa museum is today as that area was the first area the navy left when they moved to Muskö.
The Vasa was actually built right across the water from the Vasa museum on the island opposite it.
Vasa also sank in 1628 so Stockholm was the main naval base at that time.
After the war with Denmark in 1658 Sweden gained Blekinge and the main naval base was moved to a newly constructed base and town named Karlskrona.
This was necessary as the Danish navy had always had an advantage in training because the ice in the Baltic broke up much later in Stockholm than in Copenhagen, so when the Swedish navy set to sea for spring training the already trained danish navy could be waiting for them.
Thanks for mentioning the naval base at Mukö. I didn't know there was such a thing. That's so cool! From what I gather it has to be a huge facility.
@@KR4FTW3RK There are maps of it's layout floating around.
They have three major tunnels into the mountain, one of them is a full shipyard and there is a smaller tunnel for submarines.
One of the nearby islands also has a large tunnel but it has limited support facilities (Älvsnabben).
The base had a full hospital underground and all the support facilities of a naval base.
@@KR4FTW3RK ua-cam.com/video/acRLikQI4hM/v-deo.html
Excellent follow up interview, I will make a point of visiting this museum when I finally get to Sweden! Thank you for making this video and the work that goes into all your videos. Look forward to watching the follow up videos on the Vasa!
I hadn't expected to get a biology lecture at Drachinifel 👍
Thank you for another fascinating video! I really appreciate all the work you do on all of them.
A rare treat. Looking forward to the next two. I saw it in the 90’s. A quick look, I thought. Spent the whole day immersed in it
Most viewers don't know you handcuffed his ankles to the chair. You did set him free after those 8 longs days. Drachinifel is this devoted to getting us nothing but the BEST of content, even at that chaps freedom (temporary) 🤔
Excellent video drach. Very well thought out
Thank You Drach, due to health reasons I'll never get there so this is the next best thing, Dr Hocker is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, Thamk's Again to both of you 👍
An excellent interview.
Drach, you need to go on a trip on one of the Tall ships still sailing. I’m sure it would give you such an interesting perspective to bring on going forward!
Throughly enjoyed watching the interview.
Just fascinating history and the gentleman that you interviewed was my type of person. Very fascinated by ordinary people of the time and the way that he spoke of the thimble and the iron in the cannon ball, he just wants to know as much as he can about every little thing.
Drachinifel, you do some amazing work, just superb.
Wow, this is one serious museum that is worth a visit.
At around 28 minutes in - the sinking punch that brought up the sample of waterlogged black oak, yeah, I remember that from the stories about how the Vasa was found. I wasn't even born when this happened, but ten years later, it was still common knowledge here in Sweden. And I remember the Vasa museum back then, basically just a tent of sorts, with concrete arches I think, and milky windows of glass fiber or something, and constant water spray with some kind of conserving additive in it. Very hot, very humid, and nothing to see but the brown, murky and wet ship wreck itself. From a very close distance, so you couldn't really get the big picture. The current Vasa museum is a totally different beast, it is so great! A must see!
Excellent. I can't wait for the next two parts.
Dr. Clarke is amazing. I could spend hours listening to him talk. He feels like he talks to you, not down to you.
Fantastic interview . I am so fascinated with this majestic ship . I hope I can travel to9 see her one day . Def on my bucket list
Commenting to say I’m gonna rewatch part1 before I get stuck into this one
Wonderful. Thank you Drach and dr Hocker.
This was such an awesome video, now I want to visit your incredible museum!
As soon as you are fully vaccinated and global travel is back to normal, you are very wellcome!
/greetings from Sweden
This was a fantastic video series.
I had a very good time visiting the Vasa Museum
I would love a video on russian ships of the line as it is a topic not usually covered in naval history.
I'm wrapping my head around how long it took to spray the ship and dry it.
yes, what a task. I really now want to go and see it...see th result
Great interview and very enlightening.
It´s a great museum. :)
What a beautiful ship, the museum looks incredible. Hopefully we have a long enough break between covid and ww3 for me to make the trip over.
I can’t remember if you addressed the asymmetry in the building of the ship. This was a really interesting point to me when I visited the ship (at least 2 times). There were two teams each with one half of the hull split down the middle. No one checked their measuring tool to see if both sides were using were the same length for a given length. They weren’t. Makes the ship look funny
I had the privilege of seeing raw ROV footage of several old wrecks in the bottom of the Baltic Sea. One that it i remember the best was a very old wooden boat. It was very well preserved, due to the artificial light (which gave strange tones) it seemed like it just that it had fallen apart as all the iron nails and similar had eroded away but would otherwise been just fine.
Also... You should have ask the Swedes about the runner statue (Paavo Nurmi statue) that was found aboard the Vasa.
I do hope someday in the future to have the opportunity to visit this museum in person, I can but live in hope!!! 🤠👍
Fantastic will be making time to go visit when its re-opened since i am now fortunate enough to live in the same city as this marvellous piece of history!!!
Remember visiting it as an kid back in the early 80's I was very impressed.
They did not have the replicate part then I visited just two guns and a replicate of the hull around the two guns outside.
We kids was all over the guns :)
Amazing job the both of you on this video series!
Good god it's like you and Dr. Clarke are in a race to document ALL naval history as quickly as possible.
Do you have a playlist or recommendations about contemporary navy issues? (checks your site)
I recommend the bilgepumps podcast on cimsec org, it is hosted by dr clarcke and drachinifel and armored carriers. The podcast covers current stuff. (Cimsec is the center for international maritime Security)
@@senecanero3874 It's also on Spotify from episode 3 onwards. I highly recommend.
A great video and interview. Thank you so much!
I was at the Vasa museum a... while ago now and it was a wonderful experience.
I've been to the museum, and I enjoy this series :)
I will ofc also revisit the museum next time I'm in Stockholm!
Nothing beats seeing these ships IRL.
Amazing video! Thank you both!
Wow what a fantastic ship, so much preserved. Want to visit.
The Vasa Museum was always the high point when I lived in Stockholm and got foreign friends visiting and I tried to show off Stockholm at it best. In everyday life I was not at all satisfied with Stockholm. But when the guests come I panic and I have to show off the best parts of the city, I myself get impressed how fantastic it can be in the setting Summer Sun. On for example a boat back from Waxholm at the Sun set. Even guys who know nothing about history or navy admire most of all Wasa.
Only thing that could beat that would be the Nobel Prize in November, but I'm not allowed in there then.
Tank you for sharing part of history with me I'm unable to get around any more and i really asperate your video's
The last of the original galleons. A legend. That is one thing the vasa, the Texas and the victory. The last of their types.
wasn't the the Victory more like, the first fast 1rate of the line or something?
The last remaining of its type, not the last built, Like the Texas being the last dreadnought
Thank you Dr,s Hocker and Felton.
Yes, finally, Part II. Brilliant. *[HISTORY BONER INTENSIFIES]*
Amazing interview, good content, more of that please.